











ff 


“DAY PER DAY 


SECOND SERIES 


A MANUAL OF DEVOTIONS 
| FOR 


FAMILY USE 


Compiled and Arranged 
by 
HAROLD McA.”ROBINSON, D.D. 


a 


PHILADELPHIA 
PRESBYTERIAN BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION 
1926 





Copyriaut, 1926, BY THE 


Boarp or CHRISTIAN EDUCATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
InN THE U.S. A. 


Butroduction 


In 1919 Dr. J. Wilbur Chapman prepared for the New 
Era Committee a manual of devotions for individual and 
family use. This manual was published by the Presbyterian 
Board of Publication and Sabbath School Work under the 
title, “ Day After Day.” . 

In the seven years that have elapsed since the publication 
of “ Day After Day” it has had a wide use in the Presby- 
terian Church and has blessed many individuals and families 
in bringing them near to God. But such a manual, providing 
materials for daily devotions over a period of thirteen weeks, 
after a time loses the freshness of its appeal. This is par- 
ticularly the case when the manual has any of the atmosphere 
of peculiar conditions obtaining at the time of its publication. 
Dr. Chaptmman’s manual was compiled just after the close of 
the World War and in some respects breathes the devotional 
spirit appropriate to that time. 

These considerations have made it appear wise to issue a 
second manual, prepared on the same general plan as the 
first “ Day After Day ” and designed to further the purpose 
for which Dr. Chapman prepared his manual, as, in effect, 
the last public service he rendered to the Church whose min- 
istry he had so long adorned. This second series of “ Day 
After Day ” has been compiled in obedience to these con- 
siderations, and the compiler has had the advantage, as was 
the case with Dr. Chapman before him, of the kind assistance 
of a number of laymen and ministers of the Church, to 
whom he acknowledges his indebtedness, 

The Scripture selections are carefully chosen with a view 
to their value for devotional use in the family, and are ar- 
ranged in the order of their occurrence in the Bible, with the 
exception of the passages from the Gospels, which are ar- 
ranged in the order of their occurrence in ‘‘ Harmony of the 
Gospels,” by Stevens and Burton. Thirty-six books of the 
Bible are represented, twelve from the Old Testament and 


3 


INTRODUCTION 


twenty-four from the New Testament. The prayers are for 
the most part written in harmony with Robert Murray 
M’Cheyne’s injunction in his “Letter to a Boy”: ~ You 
read your Bible regularly, of course; but do try to under- 
stand it, and still more to feel it. Turn the Bible into 
prayer.” 

Appended to the Scripture selections and prayers for the 
mornings of thirteen weeks will be found a brief treasury 
of prayers for special occasions of family life. ‘These are 
taken, by permission, from “ A Book of Family Worship,” 
published, in 1921, by the Presbyterian Board of Publication 
and Sabbath School Work, whose successor as publisher for 
the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. is the Presbyterian 
Board of Christian Education. 

This introduction cannot conclude more fittingly than with 
a quotation from Dr. Chapman’s introduction to the first 
“Day  Atter Davee: 

“A prayerless home is a powerless home. A household 
protected by prayer cannot drift far from God. Therefore, 
if we would have our homes right with God, and our children 
kept from drifting, we must pray not only for our loved ones 
but with them, and do it every day.” 

H. M.R. 






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Che Family Conenant Card 


_ It 1s suggested that the members of the household sign 
this Covenant Card as indicating their faith in Jesus Christ, 
their willingness to obey him as Lord and Master, and their 
readiness to confess him before men. 

I was once holding a series of meetings in another part of 
the world, when I noticed one of my special friends, who was 
occupying a seat upon the platform, busily engaged in writ- 
ing. I wondered what could be occupying his mind. Later, 
I found out that he was planning a Family Covenant Card. 
I was preaching that evening on the home, and it evidently 
occurred to him that it would be a good thing to have his 
entire household enrolled under the Family Covenant. He 
took the card home that night and within a short time the 
names of father, mother, and children were all written down. 
Two of his boys entered the service of their country ; one of 
them made the supreme sacrifice in the early part of the war, 
the other was killed in the spring of 1918. The names of 
both of these young officers are to be found to-day upon the 
Covenant Card, and I can quite understand how their dis- 
tinguished father and their devoted mother feel as they read 
their names. I can also appreciate the sense of comfort and 
joy which must have been theirs because of the signatures of 
their two sons. 

It is most earnestly recommended that on some special 
evening, perhaps on Sunday evening, the household using 
this book be gathered together, the Family Covenant Card 
explained, and the names of the household written down. 

—J. Winpur CHAPMAN. 


Che Lord's Prayer © 


@ Us FATHER which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy 
name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, 
as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And 
forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead 
us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is 
the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 


@7The Lord’s Prayer may be added at the close of each 
prayer if desired. a. 


Ghe Apuatles’ Creed 


I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven 
and earth: And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; 
who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin 
Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, 
and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose 
again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth 
on the right hand of God the Father Almighty ; from thence 
he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. 

I believe in the Holy Ghost ; the holy Catholic Church; the 
‘ communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrec- 
tion of the body ; and the life everlasting, Amen, 


Sunday Morning, First Werk 


AS D he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, 
and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the 
-angels of God ascending and descending on it, And, behold, 
the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of 
Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon 
thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; and thy seed 
shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad 
to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the 
south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the 
earth be blessed. And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep 
thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again 
into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done 
that which I have spoken to thee of. 
And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely 
the. Lord is in this place; and I knew it not. And he was 
afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none 


other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. 
—GEN. 28 :12-17. 


Almighty and most merciful God, we approach thy 
throne of grace through the mediation and interces- 
sion of thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. By thy Holy 
Spirit take from us every stain of sin and grant that 
our petitions may find acceptance in thy sight. 

God of the patriarchs, of the prophets, of the apos- 
tles, of the martyrs, and of our fathers, the same from 
generation to generation, we worship thee. 

We thank thee that thou didst speak to the lonely pil- 
grim in the night and didst give to him assurance of 
thy favor. We rejoice that the ladder of communica- 
tion between heaven and earth still stands for thy chil- 
dren in every clime and for all time, and that angel 
messengers are constantly bringing assurances of thy 
fatherly interest in us. 

Bless those who are lonely, desolate, and afraid, and 
give to them the assurance of thy presence and favor. 
Gracious Redeemer, live with us and walk with us in 
the valleys and on the mountain tops of life. By thy 
Holy Spirit help us to gain the victory over sin. 

Grant these favors, O God, for the sake of our only 


Advocate and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, thy Son. Amen. 
—Davin G. Wyuisz, D.D. 


9 


Monday Morning, Hirst Week 


EAR therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it 

may be well with thee, and that ye may increase might- 
ily, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the 
land that floweth with milk and honey. Hear, O Israel: The 
Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy 
God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all 
thy might. And these words, which I command thee this 
day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them dili- 
gently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou 
sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and 
when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou 
shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be 
as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them 
upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.—Deur, 6:3-9. 


O God, who hast sent forth thy light and thy truth 
for our leading, graciously open our eyes, that we may 
walk this day in thy light, and our hearts, that the en- 
tering in of thy truth may bring us the glorious liberty 
of the sons of God. 

We glorify thee who art Love and we give thanks to 
thee that in this thy universe, where there is so much 
that we cannot control and so much that we cannot 
understand, there beats an omnipotent heart. 

This day as thou dost knock at our door, we open 
unto thee, beseeching thee to come in and abide with 
us. Full our hearts with love that we may love thee 
without bounds, even unto the sacrifice of our lives, and 
our neighbors as ourselves. 

Help us to carry forth into the day the sense of thy 
nearness and in the discharge of all of our duties and 
responsibilities, represent thee worthily. Bring us to 
the close of our day in peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

—Wiiiam Herspert Hupnur, D.D. 


10 


Cursday Morning, First Werk 


Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people 
shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I 
sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong 
and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do accord- 
ing to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: 
turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou 
mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the 
law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt medi- 
tate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do 
according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt 
make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good suc- 
cess. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good 
courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the 
Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. 

—JosH. 1 :6-9. 


Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we thank thee 
for thy holy law, written in the Bible, and drawn in its 
fairest lines in the life of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus 
Christ. May none of the labor or pleasure of the day 
so distract us that we may not now and then find a 
moment of time in which to meditate on this law, and 
whether we work or play or meditate, may thy law 
be all day long a lamp to our feet and a light to our 
pathway. 

Help us to be strong and very courageous to-day, that 
we may observe to do according to thy law, whatever 
our Companions or our enemies may do or say. Give us 
in our several undertakings that good success which 
comes only to those who are enabled by thy grace to do 
thy will. May none of us, either old or young, fail of 
thy help to-day to live as Christians in the face of 
temptations and opportunities. 

Give strength and courage, with good success, to all 
those who are bound to us by ties of blood or friend- 
ship, and to all those throughout the world who call 
upon thee as Father, Through our Lord Jesus Christ, 
in whose name we pray. Amen, 


11 


Wednesday Morning, Hirst Week 


JAN D it came to pass at that time, when EJi was laid down 
in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he 
could not see; and ere the lamp of God went out in the tem- 
ple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was 
laid down to sleep; that the Lord called Samuel: and he an- 
swered, Here am I. And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am 
I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down 
again. And he went and lay down. And the Lord called yet 
again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, 
Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I 
called not, my son; lie down again. Now Samuel did not yet 
know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet re- 
vealed unto him. And the Lord called Samuel again the 
third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am 
1; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord 
had called the child. Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie 
down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, 
Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and 
lay down in his place. And the Lord came, and stood, and 
called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel an- 
swered, Speak ; for thy servant heareth. —] Sam, 3:2-10. 


Our heavenly Father, we pray thee that now and 
evermore thy Word may be precious, as it was in the 
days of Eli. We thank thee for the mother love that 
prompted the devoted Hannah to dedicate her child to 
thee. We pray that her mantle may fall upon all par- 
ents, so that, in quietness and in confidence, they may 
teach their children to worship thee in the beauty of 
holiness. 

We thank thee for our homes and for our loved 
ones; and, as the child Samuel was brought to the 
Temple to be trained for a life of loving service, so, we 
pray thee, may our own dear children be taught early, 
in the sacred home circle, to worship thee “in spirit and 
in truth,” and to love the place where thine honor dwell- 
eth. May they learn, as did Samuel, to serve thee 
faithfully. We pray for ourselves, that in all our ways 
we may have the blessed assurance of thy comforting 
presence and feel the touch of thy guiding hand. Our 
trust is in thee. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

—Harry Princie Forp. 


12 


Chursday Morning, First Week 


ND the Lord sent Nathan unto David. And he came 
unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in 
one city ; the one rich, and the other poor. The rich man had 
exceeding many flocks and herds: but the poor man had 
nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and 
nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his 
children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own 
cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. 
And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared 
to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the 
wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor 
- man’s lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him. 
And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and 
he said to Nathan, As the Lord liveth, the man that hath done 
this thing shall surely die: and he shall restore the lamb four- 

fold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. 

And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. 

—II Sam. 12:1-7a. 


Our Father in heaven, help us to learn from this 
Scripture how easily we are deceived about ourselves. 
We confess that we are not only unable to see our- 
selves as others see us, but we are unable to see our- 
selves as thou, God, seest us. We humbly confess our 
sin of self-deceit. 

We beseech thee to keep us this day from all rash 
judgments of others, from aggravating the small faults 
of others, from unnecessarily uncovering the infirmities 
of others. In our relationships with the members of 
our own family and our other associates, may we main- 
tain that love which “ beareth all things, believeth all 
things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” 

But when it comes to our own faults, infirmities, and 
sins, may we hear thy voice speaking to us, “ Thou art 
the man,” and may we, ‘by thy grace, turn from our sins 
with grief and hatred of them, and be enabled so to 
walk as did our Lord Jesus, to whom we commit our- 
selves and all those whom we love, as to a Saviour who 
is able to save to the uttermost all those who come to 
thee by him. For his sake. Amen. 


13 


Friday Morning, Hirst Week 


BLESSED be the Lord, that hath given rest unto his peo- | 
ple Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath 
not failed one word of all his good promise, which he prom- 
ised by the hand of Moses his servant. The Lord our God 
be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, 
nor forsake us: that he may incline our hearts unto him, to 
walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his 
statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our 
fathers, And let these my words, wherewith I have made 
supplication before the Lord, be nigh unto the Lord our God 
day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant, and 
the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the matter shall 
require: that all the people of the earth may know that the 
Lord is God, and that there is none else. Let your heart 
therefore be perfect with the Lord our God, to walk in his 
statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day. 
—I Krncs 8 :56-61. 


O God, almighty and ever gracious, keeping thy 
covenants forever, answering always thy people’s pray- 
ers, be merciful to us to-day as we gather about thy 
throne, a little group with upturned faces, outstretched 
arms, and hungering hearts. Our fathers in all their 
generations have sought thy face and have gone out 
glad and strong. Thou hast fed them on the best of the 
wheat and on “ honey out of the rock.” We make com- ~ 
mon cause with them. We take our place among the 
mighty congregation of all those who have lifted thy 
name in praise and prayer. We pause our little moment 
in the audience chamber of the Eternal. We crave 
from thy grace the vision and the victory that others 
have won from thee. May we be faithful to those who 
have gone before, faithful to those who shall come 
after, faithful to thee, as thou dost preside over all and 
lead the ages along. Grant us to bend in dedication and 
to rise in humility before thy power. In the name of 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. : 
—Henry M. Epmonps, D.D. 


14 


Saturday Morning, Hirst Werk 


AX D one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but 
Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of 
Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber. 

And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and 
fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in 
Dothan. Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and 
a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city 
about. And when the servant of the man of God was risen 
early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city 
both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto 
him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, 
Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that 
be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray 
thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened 
the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the 
mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about 
Elisha. —II Kines 6:12-17. 


Our heavenly Father, thou art ever near us. Help us 
to realize thy presence. We believe that in thee we 
“live, and move, and have our being,” but there are 
hours, as thou knowest, when it is hard for us to under- 
stand that round about us are the chariots and the 
horsemen, the great protective agencies of our God. 

In the knowledge of thy care for us, thy watch over 
us, thy presence with us, may we perform our appointed 
tasks to-day, enjoying our many privileges, and looking 
confidently to a future lighted by divine love. 

Make us in our turn defenders and protectors of thy 
little ones; of every helpless life; of each needy soul. 

Pardon our unbelief. Unstop our ears that we may 
hear thy voice. Open our eyes that we, too, may see the 
chariots and the horsemen. For Christ’s sake. Amen. 

—Henry B. Master, D.D. 


15 


Sunday Morning, Second Week 


TT EINE, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the. 
glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is 
in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, 
_O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches 
and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in 
thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to 
make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, 
our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name, But 
who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to 
offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, 
and of thine own have we given thee. For we are strangers 
before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days 
on earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. O Lord 
our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an 
house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all 
thine own. I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, 
and hast pleasure in uprightness. —I Curon. 29:11-17a. 


We bow humbly before thee, Father almighty, Maker 
of heaven and earth, recognizing thy ownership and 
lordship in all things. Thine, indeed, is “the kingdom, 
and the power, and the glory,’ and yet thou art our 
kind and gracious heavenly Father. ‘Thou revealest 
thyself in all thy might and majesty, and yet thou deal- 
est with us as the children of thy love and heirs of thy 
grace. It is the desire of our hearts, as members of this 
household, to do what we can to advance thy cause in 
the world. We praise thy glorious name for whatever 
work thou hast assigned us in building up thy Kingdom, 
although it is not always of our own choosing. ‘Thou 
didst not permit thy servant David to realize the dream 
he cherished to build a house for thee but thou didst 
give him the grace of cheerful acquiescence and enable 
him to do gladly the things which it was thy will for 
him to do. May we gladly do what we can in the place 
where we are and with the things that we have. May 
we walk softly before thee in this land of our pilgrim- 
age, where we are indeed but strangers and sojourners, 
and may we at the close of our journeyings be received 
into thine everlasting habitations. Through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

—Hucu K. Watxrr, D.D. 


16 


Monday Morning, Second Iteek 


AN D Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; 
(for he was above all the people ;) and when he opened 
it, all the people stood up: and Ezra blessed the Lord, the 
great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with 
lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and wor- 
shipped the Lord with their faces to the ground. ... So 
they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave 
the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. 

And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest 
the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto 
all the people, This day is holy unto the Lord your God; 
mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they 
heard the words of the law. Then he said unto them, Go 
your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions 
unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy 
unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord 
is your strength. So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, 
Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved. 
And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and 
to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had 
understood the words that were declared unto them. 

—NeH. 8:5, 6; 8-12. 


We thank thee, O our Father, for this new day and 
for this renewed privilege of the family altar. Sanctify 
us “through thy truth: thy Word is truth”; and the en- 
trance of thy Word giveth light. Bless, we pray thee, 
all our household. May the children who are dearest to 
us walk in our counsel as we take counsel of thee; and 
may we all eat of the fat and drink of the sweet of thy 
holy Word that, out of the fullness and joy of our own 
lives, we may give plenteous portions to those for whom 
nothing is prepared, both in this, our homeland, and in 
all lands.. Bless the poor and the sick and those who 
sorrow to-day. Give them, we beseech thee, thy prom- 
ised care and comfort; and, if it be thy will for us, let 
us be thy great heart and thy loving hands to minister 
thy grace and loving-kindness to them in their need. 
Give us strength and courage to do thy will. In the 


name of Jesus, we pray. Amen. 
—W. O. Forses, D.D. 


17 


Tuesday Morning, Second eek — 


QC) LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the 

earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. Out 
of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained 
strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the 
enemy and the avenger. When I consider thy heavens, the 
work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast 
ordained; what is man, that thou art mindful of him? and 
the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made 
him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with 
glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over 
the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his 
feet: all sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; the 
fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever pass- 
eth through the paths of the seas. O Lord our Lord, how 
excellent is thy name in all the earth! —Psam 8. 


Our Father which art in heaven, we thank thee that 
we know thee as our Father. We thank thee for thine 
eternal Son, Jesus Christ, whom thou didst send as a 
little babe on earth, to show us in his later manhood the 
way of everlasting life, to die and rise again that we 
might be made sure of that life. We thank thee that he 
taught us to call thee our Father! Out of his mouth 
hast thou ordained our strength. 

Even as thou hast the dominion over all things, in 
the heavens and on the earth, so hast thou given us 
dominion over some things. We thank thee for the 
dominion gained by men over beasts and birds and 
natural forces, by which we have shelter, food, cloth- 
ing, and so much of comfort. Help us also to win the 
dominion over our own spirits. May passion, temper, 
prejudice, disappointment, or sorrow not control us. 
May we obtain dominion over them and over all things 
else that try and tempt us. Help us, we pray thee, to 
live this day according to the example of our Lord 
Jesus Christ. We ask it in his name. Amen. 

—Roy Ewine Vacs, D.D. 


18 


Weineshay Morning, Second Week 


i who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell 
in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and work- 
eth righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He 
that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his 
neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. 
In whose eyes a vile person is contemned ; but he honoureth 
them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, 
and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to 
usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that 
doeth these things shall never be moved. —Psgatm 15, 


O thou most holy One, we come unto thee, seeking 
thy holiness. Forgive us the sinfulness of our minds 
and the frailty of our lips. Help us by the power of 
Christ to purify our thought life from all unclean and 
unkind things. Give us the purity of heart which 
comes from the cleansing power of thy love. May our 
lives be so filled with the holy aspirations and desires 
that they will contain no room for the things which 
stain and mar the soul. May our mouths utter thy 
praise and may the law of kindness rule our conversa- 
tion. Bless us and make us a blessing to all those with 
whom we come into contact. Glorify thy truth in us 
and help us so to walk that our friends may see in us 
the image of Christ, in whose name and for whose sake 
we present these our petitions. Amen. 

—E, A. McAtprn, D.D. 


19 


Thursday Morning, Serond Week 


I WILL bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall con- 
tinually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast 
in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O 
magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name to- 
gether. I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered 
me from all my fears. ‘They looked unto him, and were 
lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man 
cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out ofall his 
troubles. The angel of the Lord encampeth round about 
them that fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see 
that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth 
in him. —Ps, 34:1-8. 


Almighty God, our heavenly Father, reverently would 
we bow before thee. Thou inhabitest light that is in- 
accessible and full of glory; yet thou dwellest in the 
heart of him who is humble and contrite. Give us a 
sense of thy presence as, refreshed by sleep, we enter 
upon the duties of a new day. Have us in thy strong 
and loving keeping wherever we go, whatever we do. 

_ May thy angels encamp round about us. Give us the 
blessedness of those who trust in the Lord. Enable us 
to bear witness to thy loving-kindness and tender mercy 
by cheerfulness, hope, and peace. 

Bless all whom we love, present and absent. Give 
them the knowledge of thy will and the grace to follow 
as thou shalt lead. May we magnify the Lord and 
exalt his name together.’ Remember those who are 
passing through the valley of sorrow. May they never 
be lonely, desolate, or afraid. Send out thy light and 
salvation into all the earth. Hasten the day when all 
men shall know thee and Jesus Christ whom thou hast 
sent. Pardon our sins; and add every blessing that is 
needful for us. For the sake of him who loved us and 
gave himself for us, even Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

—SyLvester W, Beacu, D.D. 


20 


Friday Morning, Second Week 


(3 OD is our refuge and strength, a very present help in 
trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth 
be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the 
midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be 
troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling 
thereof. ‘There is a river, the streams whereof shall make 
glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the 
most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be 
moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The 
heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his 
voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; the 
God of Jacob is our refuge. Be ee tee 


Almighty God and everlasting Father, may we find 
in thy protecting care and thy loving-kindness, our 
safety, our satisfaction, and our peace. Thou art our 
Keeper. Thou abidest through all change and distress, 
and our trust is in thee. Let no alarms disturb our 
hearts, since nothing can separate us from thy love. 

’ Remove from us, we pray thee, our anxieties and fears, 
for no one can pluck us out of thy hand. Thou art our 
Refuge and Strength. 

We thank thee, our Father, for our home; for its 
shelter and content, “for the joy of human love.” 
Guard thou our home. Continue our hearts in love of 
one another and of thee. Preserve our family circle 
from all evil.: We commit ourselves to thy fatherly 
keeping, knowing that thou wilt keep that which we 
have committed unto thee. Therefore will not we fear. 
So have we learned of thee in thy sanctuary and from 
thy Word and have been strengthened and helped. 

Defend and prosper thy Church and spread abroad 
thy Word, we pray, that all men may share this our 
blessing. In Jesus’ name. Amen, 

—Rerv. W. P. Moony. 


21 


Saturday Morning, Second Week 


MY soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation 
is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: 
he is my defence ; I shall not be moved. In God is my salva- 
tion and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, 
is in God. ‘Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out 
your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Surely men 
of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: 
to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than 
vanity. ‘Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in rob- 
bery : if riches increase, set not your heart upon them. God 
hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power be- 
longeth unto God. Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth 
mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his 
work, —Ps. 62:5-12. 


O God, in thee is the source of all power. By thy 
creative word all things exist, and thou dost sustain all 
that thou hast created. But, though thy might is meas- 
ureless, thou dost show mercy even to the weakest and 
lowliest of thy creatures. No service for thee escapes ~ 
thy notice. In deep consciousness of our continual 
need, we look to thee for sustenance, for protection, for 
strength to do our work to-day. Where else can we 
turn? No human resources can avail to meet our ne- 
cessity. No amount of riches can procure that which 
we most need. Satisfy our souls with thyself, O Sav- 
iour of mankind. Make thy Word manna to sustain us. 
Our trust is in thee. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son, 
our Lord. Amen. 

—Davin McConaucxy. 


22 





Sunday Morning, Third Week 


OD be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his 

face to shine upon us; that thy way may be known 
upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. Let the 
people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. O 
let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge 
the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. 
Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise 
thee. ‘Then shall the earth yield her increase ; and God, even 
our own God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; and all the 
ends of the earth shall fear him, —Psam 67. 


O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, by thee 
shall all the families of the earth be blest. Only by thy 
mercy blessings come and only by thy mercy can they 
abide. Forgive and in thy mercy give. Show us thy 
way of salvation that we may walk in a plain path. 
Cause thy face to shine upon us, and then cause thyself 
to shine within us. In our home, about our table, 
through our intimate fellowships, and at our common 
tasks may thy face shine and thine eyes guide. 

We thank thee that the earth yields her increase day 
by day despite our lack in stewardship and frequent 
abuse thereof, and we rejoice that one day thorns and 
briers shall cease, the fruits of righteousness abound, 
and the whole earth become the garden of the Lord. 
Hasten the day when ugliness and hatred and war shall 
pass away and all nations shall sing a hallelujah chorus 
of peace and brotherhood. 

Bless the President of the United States and all rul- 
ers, that the powers that be may recognize themselves 
as ordained of God. Revive thy Church with a more 
vivid love of thy Word and a keener vision of thy way. 
Cast down all idolatry. Bless all missionaries that 
through their words and lives “thy way may be known 
upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.” ° Let 
thy Word be teacher in all our schools and colleges, 
thy righteousness be written in all our laws, thy way be 
seen in all our streets, and thy spirit pulsate in all our 
life so that our song may be an anthem of coronation 
for Him who is King of kings and Lord of lords. In 


his name. Amen. 
—WaLtaAce RapciiFFt, D.D. 


23 


Monday Morning, Third Week 


[eke thou hast been our dwelling place, in all gener- 
ations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or 
ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from 
everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. ...O satisfy us 
early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all 
our days. Make us glad according to the days wherein thou 
hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil. 
Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto 
their children. And let the beauty of the Lord our God be 
upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; 
yea, the work of our hands establish thou it. 

—Ps,. 90:1, 2; 14-17. 


Dear Lord, our Refuge and Strength, who dost com- 
fort thy people in every age, grant that in mind and 
heart, throughout this day, we may love and magnify 
thy great and eternal name. Before thou didst fashion 
the mountains or set bounds to the seas, thou didst 
love us with an endless love. Truly thou art our God 
and Father, gracious and merciful, full of compassion. 
With a Father’s yearning heart thou dost follow us 
always. Grant that we may rejoice and be glad in thy 
holy fellowship all the day. 

If in this day our lives are found in the valley of sor- 
row and affliction, or we are hard pressed by the Evil 
One, wilt thou, O gracious Lord, be our Covert, Shield, 
and Defense. * Be our stay and comfort until the end 
of the day, keeping us and renewing us by thy divine 
grace. 

Gracious Lord, let the work of thy divine grace in us 
be apparent, that others, seeing the power of thy abid- 
ing mercy, may be led to glorify thee. Let the glory 
of thy sustaining grace find expression in the lives of 
our children unto their salvation and thy everlasting 
glory. Wilt thou be pleased to guide us in our work 
and conversation throughout the day, that thou mayest 
be able to bless and establish our work unto the praise 
and glory of our dear Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, 
Amen. 

—J. Amsrosgt DunxKeE1, D.D. 


24 


Tuvsday Morning, Third Week 
O COME, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful 


noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before 
his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto 
him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great 
King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the 
earth: the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and 
he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. O come, let 
us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our 
maker. fer he is our God; and we are the people of his 
pasture, and the sheep of his hand. —Ps. 95:1-7. 


O Lord, thou art God of all the multitudes of men, 
thou art Maker and King over all powers and peoples, 
from everlasting to everlasting. Yet thou regardest 
the lowliest of thy people as a father doth regard his 
children; thou carest for the least among us with a 
tender care; thou lovest the poorest with a love that 
never faileth. : 

Accept, O Lord, our humble adoration. We serve 
thee imperfectly, we fail in our obedience to thee, we 
have come far short of that which thou most rightfully 
requirest; yet, our Father, thou knowest that we love 
thee. Turn thou not away from us, but, in thy great 
mercy, receive the lowly tribute of our love. 

Forgive, we pray thee, all wrong that we have done. 

- Restore us as we have fallen from thy grace, lift us as 
we have stumbled in the way, and cleanse us as we 
have failed to keep ourselves unspotted from the world. 

Bless thou our home and all who dwell herein. “Give 
us grace that we may be faithful, forgiving, and kind 
to one another, as thou hast been to us./ Bless all who 
are dear to us. And guide us through life to the 
rest thou hast appointed unto us in heavenly places. 
Through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen. 

—Atvin E, Macary, D.D. 


Wednesday Morning, Third Week 


INA eS? a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve 
the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with 
singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it 1s he that hath 
made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the 
sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, 
and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and 
bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlast- 
ing; and his truth endureth to all generations. —Psaz 100. 


Our heavenly Father, we thank thee for the joy of 
life. For the beauty of the world, for the song of birds, 
and for the laughter of little children, we praise thee. 
Above all, our hearts are filled with gratitude and 
thanksgiving because we know Whom we have be- 
lieved, and we are persuaded that he is able to keep that 
which we have committed unto him against that day. 
How shall we praise thee as we ought for the con- 
sciousness that we are thine? Help us, we beseech 
thee, that we may show our gratitude by transforming 
the common day so that our ordinary tasks may in 
deed and in truth be rendered as worship. We do not 
pray for exemption from the common toil, the common 
grief of mankind. We ask that we may be more than 
conquerors through him who loved us. Enable us to go 
singing on our way and, if darkness comes, grant us 
grace to look up and see thy stars shining. May we do 
our duty to the end, in the full assurance of a happy 
entrance into our eternal home. Through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen, 

—Hernry Marcorrer, D.D. 


26 


Chursdiay Morning, Third Week 


i Eee as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth 
them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he 
remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as 
grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the 
wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof 
shall know it no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from 
everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his 
righteousness unto children’s children; to such as keep his 
covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to 
do them. The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens ; 
and his kingdom ruleth over all. Bless the Lord, ye his 
angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, 
hearkening unto the voice of his word. Bless ye the Lord, 
all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. 
Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: 
bless the Lord, O my soul. oS Ps) 1032-13222. 


We thank thee, heavenly Father, that the tenderest 
thoughts about thee are the thoughts of the heavenly 
family to which we belong. We thank thee that thou 
art our Father and we are thy children; that Jesus is 
our Elder Brother; and that thou hast taught us to 
come to thee as children to a Father. We bless thee for 
thy fatherly provision, both temporal and spiritual. We 
thank thee that thy fatherly care has provided an in- 
heritance whereby we are heirs of thine and joint heirs 
with Jesus Christ. We praise thee for the greatest of 
gifts, even the Spirit of truth, whom thou art more 
willing to give us than a father is to give bread to a 
hungry child. | 

Let thy blessing rest upon our family to-day. May 
love pervade all our relations with one another and 
with thee. Graciously pardon our transgressions. 

Keep us, we pray thee, from sin this day. With 
every temptation wilt thou make a way of escape. We 


humbly pray in the name of Jesus our Lord. Amen. 
—A. J. McCuiunc, D.D. 


af 


Friday Morning, Third Week 


VV PERE aL shall a young man cleanse his way? 
by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With 
my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander 
from thy commandments. Thy word have [I hid in mine 
heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed are thou, O 
Lord; teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared 
all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way 
of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate 
in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. “I will de- 
light myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. 
—Ps. 119 :9-16. 


Eternal Father, cleanse our hearts from every sin 
and secret fault. Help us by the power of thy Holy 
Spirit to see more clearly the sham and deceitfulness 
of sin. 

May we gladly pay the price of time and effort to 
know thee better and to have the joy of an intimate 
fellowship. Help us to love thy Word better and to lay 
it up in our hearts, that we may not sin in the hour 
of temptation. 

May we and all others who acknowledge -thee as 
Lord be free from all hypocrisy. May we be so gen- 
uine of spirit that thy winsomeness may be revealed 
through us, and lead others to desire thee. 

Make us conscious of the need of thee in every con- 
tact of life. Reveal thyself to us as a loving friend 
with whom we walk and talk along the pathway of life. 
For Jesus’ sake. Amen. 

—J. J. Ross. 


28 


Saturday Morning, Third Werk 


I WILL lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence 
cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which 
made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be 
moved; he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he 
that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The 
Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right 
hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by 
night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall 
preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and 

thy coming in from this time forth, even for evermore, . 
—PsauM 121. 


“Spirit of God, descend upon my heart; 

Wean it from earth; through all its pulses move; 
_ Stoop to my weakness, mighty as thou art, 

And make me love thee as I ought to love.” 


We thank thee, our Father, that thou dost ever sur- 
round us with thine infinite love and mercy. Though 
we are unworthy, yet thou art ever seeking to draw us 

» closer to thee that we may breathe the atmosphere of 
thy presence and go out to manifest thy spirit as we 
mingle with our fellows. 

To-day we would live with the consciousness of thy 
presence in our hearts. Thou art always with us but 
we so often forget that thou art near. Forgive us, we 
pray thee, and help us to-day to open the windows of 
our souls that the sunshine of thy love may fill our 
hearts and lives. Protect us from aught that would rob 
us of our heritage as thy children. Make us willing, 
that we may face each new task with quiet confidence 
and joy. Fill us with courage that we may stand for 

. the hard right against the easy wrong. Give us thy 
strength that we may meet every opportunity for ser- 
vice. Keep thou our feet from stumbling as we tread 
the path of duty. In all our goings out and comings in 
grant us the impelling guidance of thy spirit. Thou 
alone canst keep us, so we yield ourselves to thee. 

In full consciousness of our weakness we lift our 
hearts and voices unto thee, O Lord. We are confident 
that thou dost hear the prayer of our hearts and wilt 
answer according to our needs out of the abundance of 
thy mercy. For Jesus’ sake. Amen. 

—Rey. E. P. WestpHat. 


Z9 


Sunday Morning, Fourth Week 
[ WILL extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy 


name for ever and ever. E,very day will I bless thee; 
and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. Great is the 
Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is un- 
searchable. One generation shall praise thy works to an- 
other, and shall declare thy mighty acts. I will speak of the 
glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works. 
And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I 
will declare thy greatness. They shall abundantly utter the 
memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy 
righteousness, ~LPs' (4451-7: 


O Lord, our God, like the psalmist every day would 
we bless thee. Every day would we magnify thy maj- 
esty, thy great goodness, and thy righteousness. Every 
day would we ask of thee our daily bread, both material 
and spiritual. We would never let the fire go out upon 
this family altar; and, as one generation, we would 


praise thy works to all other generations. é 
On this Lord’s day, too, we would offer thee special 
praise. 


“On thee, at the creation, 

The light first had its birth; 
On thee, for our salvation, 

Christ rose from depths of earth; 
On thee our Lord, victorious, 

The Spirit sent from heaven; 
And thus on thee, most glorious, 

A triple light was given.” 


Help us to keep this day holy unto thee. Accept the 
service we render thee in both private and public wor- 
ship, and prepare us by this holy day for holy living. °* 
On this new day of life, too, we would worship thee. 
The day has come to us by thy grace out of thine eter- 
nity. It brings with it new responsibilities: help us to 
discharge them aright. It brings gracious opportuni- 
ties: help us to avail ourselves of them. It brings with 
it new temptations: with every temptation provide a 
way of escape. May this be a day of victory over evil 
—victory for good works, for clean words, for pure 
thoughts. And may thy Kingdom come in us and 
throughout thy world. For Jesus’ sake. Amen. 
—SAMUEL TyNnpALE Witson, D.D. 


30 


Monday Morning, Fourth Week 


M* son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my 
commandments: for length of days, and long life, and 
peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth for- 
sake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the 
table of thine heart: so shalt thou find favour and good 
understanding in the sight of God and man, 

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto 
thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, 
and he shall direct thy paths. 

Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart 
from evil. —Prov. 3:1-7. 


Almighty God, who seest that we have no power of 
ourselves to help ourselves, keep us in body and soul 
from all evil; let thy mercy come upon us, O God, in 
great fullness, even as our sins against thee have been 
many, and may thy forgiveness overflow all our trans- 
gressions, that they may be covered and blotted out. 
Grant us, O God, that with a meek and lowly heart we 
may endure fatherly corrections, and submit ourselves 
quietly to thy wise discipline. Grant, O God, that we 
may patiently bear the troubles of this natural life, 
neither rebelling against thee nor turning away from 
thy instruction, so that in the end we may be made wise 
and humble. Send thy peace into our hearts, O Lord, 
throughout the whole of this day, and having forgiven 
others, even as thou dost forgive us, may we have com- 
fort this day in our souls, in our home, in our associa- 
tions with our fellows, that when the day is done we 
may have glorified our only Lord and Saviour, Jesus 
Christ, in whose name we have asked these things. 


Amen. 
—M. H. Krauss, D.D. 


31 


Cursday Morning, Fourth Week 


A *°0F T answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words 

stir up anger. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge 
aright ; but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. The 
eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and 
the good. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but per- 
verseness therein is a breach in the spirit. A fool despiseth 
his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is 
prudent. In the house of the righteous is much treasure: 
but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. | —Proy. 15:1-6. 


Our heavenly Father, we thank thee for this inspir- 
ing and warning message from thy Word. We would 
have our home to be a house of the righteous, and we 
pray that thou wilt correct anything that thine eyes 
may find wrong init. Help us as we guard our tongues 
during this day. If we are to meet with wrath or fool- 
ishness, give us grace for the soft answer that will 
turn away wrath and guard us from grievous words 
that stir up anger. Let it be a day in which we receive 
instruction and reproof in the right spirit, whatever the 
agencies through which thou dost send them to us. 

What we ask for ourselves we ask also for our loved 
ones, wherever they may be, and for our fellow workers 
in thy cause around the world. We crave for all of 
them, as for ourselves, the strong and gentle spirit of 
Christ, that every house that bears his name may be a 
house of peace because it is a house of righteousness. 
Inspire us, we pray thee, to our best endeavors on this 
day in which we now dedicate ourselves anew to thee. 
In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

—CLELAND B, McAreg, D.D. 


32 


Wednesday Morning, Fourth Week 


[N the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sit- 

ting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled 
the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six 
wings ; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he 
covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried 
unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: 
the whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the 
door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was 
filled with smoke. 

Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a 
man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of 
unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of 
hosts. Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a 
live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from 
off the altar. And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, 
this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, 
and thy sin purged. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, say- 
ing, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said 
I, Here am I; send me. —“Tsa. 671-8: 


We praise thee, O God, as the “Lord of all being, 
throned afar”; and because in thy great mercy thou 
hast vouchsafed to reveal thyself to us. The sense of 
thy divine majesty fills our souls with awe; the assur- 
ance that thou hast made us for thyself fills us with 
gratitude. 

Blessed be thy name that out of the lofty habitation 
of thy holiness thou dost speak to our sinful condition; 
out of thine inexhaustible power thou dost minister to 
our weakness; and when we are brought low, thou dost 
help us. May the thought of thy willingness to be our 
constant Companion fortify us to meet all the trying 
issues of our lives. Enable us to walk worthy of the 
vocation wherewith thou hast called us as thy children, 
and as followers of thy dear Son, in whose name we 
pray, and in whose spirit we would daily live. Amen. 

—JoHn A. MacInvrosu, D.D. 


33 


Thursday Morning, Fourth Werk 


URELY he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sor- 
rows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, 
and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he 
was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace 
was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we 
like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one 
to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity 
Ob uSsalle ee 
Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to 
erief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he 
shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure 
of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the 
travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge 
shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear 
their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with 
the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; be- 
cause he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was 
numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of 
many, and made intercession for the transgressors. 
—Isa. 53:4-6; 10-12. 


Our Father, we thank thee for the grace, mercy, and 
peace which fall upon our lives in heavenly benediction 
through Jesus Christ, our Lord. We stand in silent 
wonderment before the mystery of thy love at Calvary. 
There the night of our sin gives place to the glad morn- 
ing of our righteousness in him. Thou hast put him to 
grief on our behalf that his joy might be in us, the joy 
of fellowship with thee. We have life more abundantly 
because he poured out his soul unto death. Enable all 
the members of our household this day to lay their 
griefs and sorrows, as well as their joys, before Jesus. 
May we turn away from the voice of strangers and 
hear only the voice of the Good Shepherd in the midst - 
of the day’s tasks and testings. Let our Lord see of the 
travail of his soul and be satisfied as he beholds our 
lives. And when evening comes may it find us trusting 
and loving. We ask it all for his sake through whose 
stripes we have been healed, Jesus, our Saviour. Amen. 

—H, H. McQuirxin, D.D. 


34 


HKriday Morning, Fourth Werk 


BEHOLD, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make 

a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the 
house of Judah: not according to the covenant that I made 
with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand 
to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant 
they brake, although J was an husband unto them, saith the 
Lord: but this shall be the covenant that I will make with the 
house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put 
my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; 
and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And 
they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every 
man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all 
know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, 
saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will 
remember their sin no more, —Jer. 3131-34. 


Our gracious heavenly Father, who didst enter into 
covenant with thy servants and their families long ago, 
and who dost ever keep thy promises, we thank thee for 
that marvelous new covenant, which the ancient proph- 
ets foresaw, and into which we of this day may enter 
with thee, through our blessed Mediator, Jesus Christ. 

Grant, we pray, that this holy relationship may not be 
a mere outward form. Do thou write thy law in our 
hearts and enable us to embody it in our lives, for thou 
art our God and we are thy people. 

Pardon our unfaithfulness to our covenant and all 
our sins, which with shame and sorrow we confess, and 
help us more and more to grow into the likeness of th 
beloved Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. 3 

Dwell with us, we beseech thee, in our home; bless 
every member of our household and all our dear 
ones everywhere; and inspire by thy loving Spirit all 
our relationships one to another. If it be thy will 
bring health and comfort, peace and joy, courage and 
strength to every one. ° 

Give us some part in the hastening of that glorious 
time of which we have read to-day in thy holy Word, 
when all shall know thee from the least even unto the 
greatest and when their iniquities shall be both for- 
given and forgot, through the grace of Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. | 
Be —Mzinor C. Morcan, D.D. 


Saturday Morning, Hourth Week ’ 


OR God so loved the world, that he gave his only begot- 

ten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not 
perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son 
into the world to condemn the world; but a the world 
through him might be saved. 

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that 
believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not be- 
lieved in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And 
this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, 
and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds 
were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, 
neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 
But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds 
may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. 

—Joun 3:16-21. 


O God, most holy, who hast shown thy measureless 
redeeming love to the world in the gift of thine only 
begotten Son, our Saviour, we believe; help thou our 
unbelief. We humbly confess that we perish without 
Him to whom with humble confidence we commit our- 
selves, not trusting in our own works and merits to 
save us, but trusting only in him who did thy perfect 
will and offered himself a sacrifice without spot or 
blemish that we might have eternal life. 

Enable us by thy “love which saves us, to walk in the 
light this day, hating the darkness, that we may draw 
unto thee those who are under the condemnation that 
they love the darkness rather than the light. Thou hast 
redeemed us; thou canst make us good, that our works 
may be wrought in thee wherever we are to-day and 
however young or old we may be, and that through our 
lives of love thine eternal, redeeming love may be made- 
known to the company of our friends and associates. 

Hasten, O God of love, the day when all men every- 
where may be saved through Jesus Christ, our Lord, 
and may walk in the light as he is in the light. We 
ask it all in his glorious name. Amen. 


36 


Sunday Morning, Fifth Week 


B LESSED are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the king- 
dom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they 
shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall in- 
herit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst 
after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the 
merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure 
in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemak- 
ers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are 
they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs 
is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall 
revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of 
evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be ex- 
ceeding glad: for great is your reward.in heaven: for so 


persecuted they the prophets which were before you. 
—Marr. 5:3-12, 


Our Father, open our minds to the stirring of thy 
spirit in the faces of children, the rustle of the grass, 
the play of life and the life of play. May we push 
forward to the greater possibilities within our reach. 

Help us to know our fellow man and be touched with 
the feeling of his infirmities. May we suffer wrong in 
hope of vanquishing it. May our love for thee and thy 
children burn so brightly that evil cannot withstand it. 
Give us that abiding, equable affection which will quiet 
and steady anger and strife. 

Count us worthy to suffer and be persecuted for 
righteousness’ sake. Let the cross appear in our way 
and may we greet it with faith and hope and love. 

Whatever we can bear of the burden of our Master, 
give unto us, and with it thy strength, O Father. In 
whatever way we can share his life of love, let us be 
one with him now and forever. In his name. Amen. 

—Rev, J. R. Durrievp. | 


37 


Monday Morning, Hifth Werk 


YF are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its 

savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth 
good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under 
foot-of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is 
set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, 
and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick ; and it giveth 
light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine 
before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify 
your Father which is in heaven. 

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the proph- 
ets: | am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say | 
unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle 
shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Who- 
soever therefore shall break one of these least command- 
ments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in 
the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach 
them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall ex- 
ceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall 
in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. —Marr. 5:13-20. 


Gracious Father, keep us ever near to thee. Except 
thy presence abide with us we have no strength to over- 
come temptation, no wisdom to solve the problems of 
life, no power for service. As redeemed sons of God 
may we reflect the brightness and the glory of him who 
has given us life and hope. Kindle in our hearts anew 
the flame of love for thee and for all mankind. Fill us 
with the desire to go forth as heralds of thy blessed 
gospel; give us the courage and boldness to testify in 
word and in deed to the faith by which we live and 
work. Help us to be loyal to thee and to thy Com- 
mandments. Lead us by thy grace in paths of purity and 
godliness and bless our lives with the consciousness of 
our oneness with thee. Enable us by the power of thy 
holy Spirit so to live that we may have “a conscience 
void of offence toward God and toward men”; and 
thus prepare us to bring others into fellowship with 
thee. This we ask, with the forgiveness of all our sins, 
in Jesus’ name. Amen, 

| —Joun M, Somernpiks. 


38 





Cursday Morning, Hifth Werk 


Ys have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, 
and a tooth for a tooth: but I say unto you, That ye 
resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right 
cheek, turn to him the other also, And if any man will sue 
thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy 
cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, 
go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from 
him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. 

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy 
neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love 
your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that 
hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and 
persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father 
which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil 
and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the un- 
just. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have 
ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute 
your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not 
even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your 
Father which is in heaven is perfect. —Marr, 5:38-48. 


Our Father, we pray that thou wilt help every one in 
this family to live this day in the beautiful spirit of 
these marvelous words of Jesus.. Lead us, we pray 
thee, from the dark, ugly places of envy and hate and 
revenge up into the high, clean places of love and 
charity and forgiveness. Help us to test to-day in the 
laboratory of life the reasonableness of these com- 
mands of Christ. If one in the family or outside of it 
has wronged us, help us to forgive him; if we have 
cherished resentment against a particular person, help 
us this very day to put away that foul feeling from our 
hearts. Having done this in thy strength, grant us to 
know the joy of our Lord, the joy of the heart washed 
clean from the poison of hate and flooded with the 
light of love. 

We ask these things in the name of him who taught 
by word and example the victorious joy of overcoming 
evil with good. Amen. 

—STEPHEN SEWALL Estey, D.D. 


39 


Weireshay Morning, Hifth Week 


aie heed that ye do not your alms before men, to ‘be 
seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your 
Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine 
alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites 
do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have 
glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their re- 
ward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know 
what thy right hand doeth: that thine alms may be in secret: 
and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward 
thee openly. | 
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites 
are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in 
the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. 
Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, 
when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast 
shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy 
Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But 
when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: 
for they think that they shall be heard for their much speak- 
ing. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father 

knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 
—Marr. 6:1-8. 


Our Father which art in heaven, help us to be gen- 
uine and sincere not only in our devotion to thee but in 
all the attitudes and actions of our lives. Defend us 
against the peril of trying to do good that we may be 
seen of men and praised by them. May we seek no re- 
ward at all from men, but do them good freely and for 
Christ’s sake. Content us with thine approval, who art 
thyself our exceeding great reward. 

May our prayers be sincere, expressing the desires of 
our own hearts, in accordance with thy will. Keep us 
from needless and faithless worry and anxiety, inas- 
much as we know that our needs are known unto thee 
before they are formed in our hearts or spoken with 
our lips. 

Accompany us now, we humbly pray thee, as we go 
to our several duties and, wherever each one of us is 
throughout the day, may he take thee with him in the 
secret places of his heart, even though he be in the 
crowd. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 


40 





Thursday Morning, Hifth Werk 


ACTER this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which 
art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom 
come. ‘Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give 
us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we 
forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but 
deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the 
power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. For if ye forgive 
men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive 
you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will 
your Father forgive your trespasses. 

Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a 
sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may 
appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have 
their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine 
head, and wash thy face; that thou appear not unto men to 
fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, 
which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.—Marv. 6:9-18. 


We thank thee, our heavenly Father, for the knowl- 
edge and assurance that we are thy children. Willful, 
disobedient, and selfish children we are betimes, but we 
pray that the Fountain opened for sin and uncleanness 
may cleanse us from every sin. 

We are grateful, indeed, for our home, with its many 
blessings. We need thy continued care, protection, and 
provision, and humbly ask thee to supply our every 
need, The children which thou hast graciously given 
us are ever in our hearts and minds. Make them, we 
entreat thee, thy children. May we all be bound to- 
gether in the bundle of life. We would remember all 
our loved ones: may they be the objects of thy redeem- 
ing love. May our friends be thy friends, and may the 
hearts of our enemies, if we have enemies, be turned 
toward us and our hearts toward them. 

We pray for thy Church. May thy Kingdom come in 
our own hearts, in our homes, in our beloved land, and 
in the uttermost parts of the earth. Give us, we be- 
seech thee, the privilege of hastening the gladsome day 
when all shall know thee, from the least even unto the 


greatest. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen. 
—S, R. Fercuson, D.D. 


41 


Friday Morning, Hitth Week 


1 fyi not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where 
moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break 
through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in 
heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and 
where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where 
your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The light of 
the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy 
whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, 
thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the 
light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness ! 

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the 
one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and 
despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. 
Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, 
what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your 
body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, 
and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for 
they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet 
your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better 
than they? —Marr. 6:19-26. 


Our Father in heaven, we thank thee for the re- 
minder from the lips of our Lord that thou dost care 
for us. The rest of the night and the peace of the 
morning we owe to thee. Deliver us from anxiety 
about ourselves, our loved ones, and our possessions. 
In quietness and confidence may we go our way, to- 
day, knowing that no experience of any kind can come 
to us without thy purpose of love hidden in it. We 
commit our. ways unto thee, beseeching thee to direct 
our paths and to bring us together again at evening in 
health and mutual joy and in the consciousness that 
thou hast worked in us and through us to accomplish 
thy good will. 

Turn the hearts of all men from the treasures of 
earth to the treasures of heaven, and bless all those 
throughout the world, particularly the home and for- 
eign missionaries of our Church, who strive to fix the 
desires of men on heavenly things. In Jesus’ name. 
Amen. 


42 


Saturday Morning, Fifth Week 


W HICH of you by taking thought can add one cubit 

unto his stature? And why take ye thought for rai- 
ment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they 
toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, That 
even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of 
these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, 
which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall 
he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore 
take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall 
we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after 
all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly 
Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But 
seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness ; and 
all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no 
thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought 
for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil 
thereof. —Marr. 6 :27-34. 


Blessed Master, may we always recognize thee as 
one of our family circle—an honored Guest, a close 
Friend, an Elder Brother. Wilt thou always be here to 
share our joys and to temper our sorrows. Wilt thou 
quiet the unruly thought or the ill-tempered jest, and 
may the sanctity of thy presence always abide with us. 
When domestic. difficulties arise or financial burdens 
press, then, Lord, may we turn to thee and remember 
thy gracious words which the world, after all these 
years, fails to grasp; and let our anxiety subside, re- 
membering that we are in the heavenly Father’s care. 

If we are rich in worldly goods, may we remember 
that we are but stewards, and be faithful in our stew- 
ardship. If we are poor, may we remember thy poverty 
—how thou didst empty thyself for our sakes—and may 
we, with what little we have, do our share to ease the 
burden of some other saddened heart. 

Above all, may we give ourselves in service so that 
the world may be the better for our having lived; and 
from this home may there emanate an influence that 
will always testify to our constant friendship and asso- 
ciation with thee, our Master and our Friend. In thine 
own dear name. Amen. . 

—F. M. BraAsELMAN. 


43 


Sunday Morning, Sixth Week 


jo ece not, that ye be not judged. For with what judg- 
ment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure 
ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why be- 
holdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but con- 
siderest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt 
thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of 
thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? ‘Thou 
hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and 
then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy 
brother’s eye. 

Give not that which is holy: unto the dogs, neither cast ye 
your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their 
feet, and turn again and rend you. —Marr, 7:1-6. 


O thou living and eternal God with whom we have to 
do, create in us clean hearts and renew right spirits 
within us. Wherein we have failed to follow the pre- 
cepts and example of thy dear Son, our Lord, forgive 
us. Forgive us for all censoriousness and uncharity, 
for hasty words and ungenerous thoughts. Forgive us 
if we have seen weakness in others: Give us the spirit 
of kindness and compassion. Help us to put ourselves 
in the place of others and to consider ourselves lest we 
also be tempted. 

We pray for each and every member of our family 
circle, wherever they may be. Wilt thou guard and 
guide them by the presence of thy holy Spirit. Wilt 
thou show unto them the way of life and help them to 
walk in it. Grant that we may be an unbroken family. 

We pray for all classes and conditions of men, for 
the Church at home and abroad, for our nation and for 
all the nations of the earth. May understanding and 
good will prevail among all classes and races, all peo- 
ples and nations. May those that are strong help the 
weak instead of exploiting them. 

Hasten, we beseech thee, the coming of the Kingdom 
of the Lord Jesus Christ, and save us with an everlast- 
ing salvation. This we ask in our Redeemer’s name. 
Amen. 

—WiLLIAM Hiram Foutxgss, D.D. 


44 


—) 


Monday Morning, Sixth Werk 


js\ ou and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall 
find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every 
one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and 
to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is 
there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will give him a 
stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If 
ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your 
children, how much more shall your Father which is in 
heaven give good things to them that ask him? ‘Therefore 
all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do 
ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. 
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and 
broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there 
be that go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow 
is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that 
find it. —Mart. 7:7-14. 


Our heavenly Father, thou art never impatient with 
our much asking. We are never able to ask beyond the 
measure of thy willingness, so great is thy love and sc 
rich is thy bounty. Teach us wisely to ask of thee. 
Unlike our earthly parents, thou canst save us from our 
wrong asking. Thou knowest better what we need than 
do we ourselves. In mercy and farseeing love thou dost 
often withhold the gift for which we ask. We desire 
the full blessing of thy love for this day and hour. The 
burdens of life are ever with us. The anxieties and 
responsibilities come with the toil and duties of every 
day. Our needs are many. We need thy joy and peace 
in our hearts. We need the directing influences of thy 
Spirit at every turn, lest we take the wrong path. We 
need the guidance of the still, small voice in order to 
choose aright where so many choices are to be made. 
Encircle every precious loved one this day with thy 
protecting care. Let each one share the rest and 
strength that come through thine indwelling presence. 
Thus only will our lives abound in all good. We ask 
these things in Christ’s name. Amen. 

—Witi1AmM CuHatmers Covert, D.D. 


45 


Curshay Morning, Sixth Meek 


BEWARE of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s 
clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye 
shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of 
thorns, or figs of thistles? E-ven so every good tree bringeth 
forth good fruit ; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 
A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a cor- 
rupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth 
not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter 
into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my 
Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, 
Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy 
name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many won- 
derful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never 
knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 

—Mart. 7 :15-23. 


Our Father, we, thy children, bow before thee. We 
love thee because thou hast first loved us. We praise 
thee for thy love and grace. We thank thee for all 
good. 

This new'day is thy gift. ‘Thou hast spoken to us 
about it in thy Word, so that we are instructed and 
warned as to what we may expect in it. May thy 
Spirit keep us from being led astray by enemies from 
without, and help us to overcome our temptations from 
within. Help us to remember that we belong to thee, 
and to glorify thee by doing thy will to-day. 

Help those of us who go out to-day to shun all evil; 
keep those who abide in the home in the way of peace; 
and, O Father, keep the children under the shadow of 
thy wing. 

May all thy people be enabled so to live to-day that 
thou mayest be glorified in them. All we ask is in 
Jesus’ name. Amen. 

—J. C. Rosrnson, D.D. 








Wedursday Morning, Sixth Week 


HEREFORE whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, 

and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which 
built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the 
floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house ; 
and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every 
one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, 
shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house 
upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, 
and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: 
and great was the fall of it. And it came to pass, when 
Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at 
his doctrine: for he taught them as one having authority, 
and not as the scribes. —Mart. 7 :24-29. 


Our dear Lord, thou hast not concealed from us the 
disaster that awaits those who neglect thy words. Thou 
hast flashed the signal of danger before us. We may 
indeed exist apart from thee, but apart from thee we 
can do nothing. The very house we build, the very 
attainment we secure, becomes a mockery, and when 
the night comes and the storm, great is the fall of it. 

We pray, dear Lord, that we may believe that thy 
words come from God. May they have authority for us 
and persuasiveness. May we remember thy command- 
ments to do them, just because they are thy command- 
ments. Help us to-day to be careful in our decisions. 

Reveal again thy precious cross where thou didst die 
to save us from sin. ‘Tell us again that we have not 
been redeemed with corruptible things but by thy blood. 
Show us how costly thy love for us has been. Give us 
a glimpse of the glory which thou hast prepared for us 
in heaven. ‘Then we cannot forget thee. In thy name. 


Amen. 
—Frank H. Stevenson, D.D. 


47 


Churshay Morning, Sixth Week 


AN D he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came 
into his own city. And, behold, they brought to him a 
man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their 
faith said unto the sick of the palsy ; Son, be of good cheer ; 
thy sins be forgiven thee. And, behold, certain of the scribes 
said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. And Jesus 
knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your 
hearts? For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven 
thee ; or to say, Arise and walk? But that ye may know that 
the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then 
saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and 
go unto thine house. And he arose, and departed to his 
house. But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and 

glorified God, which had given such power unto men, 
—Mart, 9:1-8. 


Our heavenly Father, the God and Father of our 
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we thank thee that thou 
art the Saviour of both the soul and the body. Thou 
dost forgive our sins; thou dost heal our diseases. 
Help us so to care for our bodies that by obedience to 
thy laws we may gain that measure of health which it 
is thy will that we should possess. Help us so to care 
for our souls that by the forgiveness of our sins we may 
obtain as our constant possessions love, joy, peace, 
long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, 
self-control. To this end give us sensitiveness of con- 
science, kindness of heart, tenderness of touch, accu- 
racy of judgment, purity of imagination, and strength 
of will. May we be ambitious to go about doing good 
as did our Master. May we be anxious to be Christlike 
in spirit and in mind. And may this, our home, be a 
happier place because we dwell here, and this, our 
world, a better place because we live here. ‘These 
things we ask in his name who still has power both 
to heal and to forgive. Amen. 

; —Lrewis Stymour Mupecr, D.D. 


48 





Hriday Morning, Sixth Werk 


aN he entered again into the synagogue; and there was 
a man there which had a withered hand. And they 
watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath 
day; that they might accuse him. And he saith unto the 
man which had the withered hand, Stand forth. And he 
saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, 
or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their 
peace. And when he had looked round about on them with 
anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith 
unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it 
out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. And the 
Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the 


Herodians against him, how they might destroy him. 
—Marx 3:1-6. 


Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we come again 
into thy presence to beseech thy blessing upon our- 
selves and our loved ones. Grant that we may begin 
the day in the spirit of humility, trusting in thy good- 
ness and hoping in thy mercy. Deliver us from hard- 
ness of heart and kindle in us a holy desire to see thy 
face and know thy will. ( 

We thank thee, O God, for the blessings of the night 
and the mercies of the morning. As we go about the 
duties of this day may we be conscious of thy presence. 
Make us faithful in whatever service we are able to 
render our fellow men. Help us to see our duty clearly. 
Save us from uncharitableness and give us grace to 
love those who do good unto men. 

O holy and gracious God, we remember our many 
sins as we recall thy mercies. We have frequently 
grieved thee by disobedience, selfishness, and unkind- 
ness. Forgive us we beseech thee. Bless our friends 
and neighbors. Bless thy Church, O God, and speed 
the day when all men shall know thee. We ask these 
things with grateful and loving hearts. Through Jesus 


Christ our Lord. Amen. 
—Rev, DuNcAN MAcLENNAN. 


49 


Saturday Morning, Sixth Week 


fi Rete ee twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, 
saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any 
city of the Samaritans enter ye not: but go rather to the lost 
sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, 
The kingdom of heaven is at. hand. Heal the sick, cleanse 
the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have re- 
ceived, freely give. Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor 
brass in your purses, nor scrip for your journey, neither two 
coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is 
worthy of his meat. And into whatsoever city or town ye 
shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till 
ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it. 
And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: 
but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And 
whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when 
ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your 
feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the 
land of Sodom and Gomorrah in _ the day of judgment, than 
for that city. —Marr. 10:5-15. 


Our loving heavenly Father, we thank thee for thy 
care and patience. We have wandered far from thee 
and often forgotten thy love and forbearance, but thou 
hast loved us still and never forsaken us. In our hours 
of loneliness and penitence, we have returned to thee to 
find thee willing to receive and forgive us. 

We pray that we may be more faithful and depend- 
able. We pray for all thy wandering, forgetful chil- 
dren. May we seek and win them back to thee in the 
name of Jesus Christ, their Saviour. May we learn thy 
love and patience that we may not be discouraged with 
them. May they see in us thy character and love. 
May we appeal to them so that their hearts may be 
touched and their wills may be responsive. We ask it 
in our Saviour’s name. Amen. 

—Joun TimotruHy Strong, D.D. 


50 





Sunday Morning, Seuenth Week 


alee disciple is not above his master, nor the servant 
above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be 
as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called 
the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall 
they call them of his household? Fear them not therefore: 
for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed ; and 
hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, 
that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that 
preach ye upon the house tops. And fear not them which 
kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear 
him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are 
not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall 
not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very 
hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, 
ye are of more value than many sparrows. Whosoever there- 
fore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also 
before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall 
deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father 
which is in heaven, —Mart. 10 :24-33. 


Gracious Saviour, we bow in prayer because we trust 
thee. Thy teachings show us the way; thy promises 
give us cheer; thy presence increases our courage. We 
know that thou carest for us with more tender solicitude 
than for the sparrow. With thee we walk unafraid. 
Abide in our home, we pray, our welcome Guest. 

We thank thee, Father, for this day of sacred rest. 
As Christ confesses us before thee, help us to confess 
thee freely before men. Impart to us, sufficient grace 
to spend the day in thy companionship and to make thy 
healthful influences felt by others. 

Spirit of God, illumine and direct our thoughts, that 
thy peace may rule in our hearts. Labor ceaselessly 
with all thy children, we beseech thee, for the spread- 
ing of thy good will. 

Bless our pastor as he leads us into thy conscious 
presence. Send grace on all who preach and teach thy 
Word. Keep us, oh, keep us, Lord of glory, from 
denying thee. 

When evening falls, may it find us still by thy side, 


O Christ. In thy name we pray. Amen. 
—Grrrit VeRKUYL, PH.D. 


51 


Monday Morning, Seuenth Trek 


AL that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O 
Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast ‘hid 
these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed 
them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in 
thy sight. All things are delivered unto me of my Father: 
and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father ; neither know- 
eth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever 
the Son will reveal him. 

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and 
I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of 
me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest 
unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is 
light, —Mavrr. 11:25-30. 


We; too, thank thee, our Father, as our Lord himself 
thanked thee, that thy revelation is made to those who 
are of humble, childlike hearts. This gives us hope. 
We afe not great or wise. We only know that we 
know so little, and that we need to be guided by thy 
wisdom and led by thy hand. We commit our ways in 
love and trust to thee. 

And we thank thee, Lord Jesus, for thy words about 
thyself, that thou art meek and lowly. We love thee 
the more for this. Make us like thee in these things, 
and grant us the rest and peace which thou hast prom- 
ised. We have no ambition to be great or famous or 
to shine among the lights of the noisy world. We want 
to be at peace in thee. Bring us into thy calmness and 
thy rest and keep us‘in thee this day , Through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. : 


Be eee - a 





Cnuesday Morning, Seventh Werk 


HILE he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother 

and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with 
him. ‘Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy 
brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he 
answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my 
mother ? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth 
his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother 
and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my 
Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, 
and mother. —Mart. 12 :46-50. 


Dear Lord, in companionship with thee, we see our- 
selves anew and in thy discipleship we discover the 
Kingdom of our Father. In the cares of a busy day 
may we not forget thee and thy love for all mankind. 
When we are tired, keep us free from the sins of tem- 
per; and when we are unable to accomplish our task, 
give us grace to wait. Keep us from the evil of selfish 
motive; in love may we seek justice for our brother. 
However few may be our talents, lead us by thy spirit 
to use them to thy glory, and at the end give us the 
reward of servants who have been faithful. With 
humble reliance upon thy strength may we go forward 
to our task. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen. 

—G. A, Hutpert, D.D. 


53 


Wednesday Morning, Seventh Week 


ND one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to 

my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. 
And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a di- 
vider over you? And he said unto them, Take heed, and 
beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the 
abundance of the things which he possesseth. And he spake 
a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich 
man brought forth plentifully: and he thought within him- 
self, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where 
to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull 
down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow 
all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, 
thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine 
ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou 
fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose 
shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he 
that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward 
God. —Luxks 12:13-21. 


Our Father in heaven, as we come on this new day 
'to a throne of grace, teach us, we beeseech thee, how 
to pray and for what to pray, and through our com- 
munion with thee may we learn how to live and for 
what to live. We do not know the way that is before 
us, but our trust is in thee. Through whatever the day 
may have in store lead us into the green pastures and 
beside the still waters of thy love and care. Help us 
in our association with others to proclaim the ever- 
lasting gospel, and may we not grow “ weary in well- 
doing,” knowing that in due season we shall reap if we 
faint not. 

We pray for our loved ones. May those who are 
near to us be very near to thee. We pray for the sick 
and the sorrowing, and all who are in especial need. 
Grant that thy providence and thy grace may be suff- 
cient for all their need. We entreat thee on behalf of 
the nations that are still in the darkness. May the 
kingdoms of this world soon become thy kingdoms. 
We ask all in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus 
Christ. Amen. 

—Stuart Nyse Hurcuison, D.D. 


54 


* 





Chursday Morning, Seventh Week 


eet your loins be girded about, and your lights burning ; 
and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, 
when he will return from the wedding ; that when he cometh 
and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed 
are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find 
watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, 
and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and 
serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or 
come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those 
servants. And this know, that if the goodman of the house 
had known what hour the thief would come, he would have 
watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken 
through, Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man 
cometh at an hour when ye think not. —Luxe 12:35-40. 


O Lord, our God, how dreadful the thought of a ser- 
vant neglecting to watch for his lord’s return! How 
great the blessedness of those who are ready! Remind 
us that we know not the hour when the Son of man 
cometh, and cannot wait until the day we think he will 
appear and then gird our loins and light our lamps. , 
We thank thee that this is so. If it were otherwise we 
would watch to-morrow but not to-day, some other time 
but not now. Because we know not, we must live every 
day with the expectation of his knocking, that we may 
open unto him immediately. 

We rejoice in the promise that he will make us to sit 
down to meat, if we are ready, and even come forth 
and serve us. This is Christ’s service of love and 
though beyond anything we can ask or think it is like 
him who came “not to be ministered unto, but to min- 
ister.” We would be humbly receptive of all that he 
would give, remembering that it is his pleasure to 
serve, his joy to give. We beseech thee in the name 
of Jesus. Amen. | 

—Cuaries Lee Reynoups, D.D. 


55 


Friday Morning, Seventh Week 


PROM that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his dis- 

ciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer 
many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and 
be killed, and be raised again the third day. ‘Then Peter 
took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from 
thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and 
said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an 
offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be 
of God, but those that be of men, 

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come 
after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and 
follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: 
and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, 
and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange 
for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of 
his Father with his angels, and then he shall reward every 
man according to his works. —Marr. 16 :21-27. 


Our gracious and loving heavenly Father, grant unto 
us, we beseech thee, this day the courage of Jesus that 
we, too, may go forward in the path of duty, even 
though we know that it will be for us also a pathway 
of suffering. Help us to believe that all things whether 
joyous or grievous will work together for our spiritual 
profit as we trust in thee. May we allow no one, not 
even an intimate friend, to dissuade us from this our 
purpose. Denying self and bravely taking up our spe- 
cial cross, may we rejoice in the consciousness that we 
are following in the footsteps of Jesus; that he will be 
with us always, even unto the end, guiding us by his 
unerring wisdom and sustaining us by his omnipotent 
grace; that though for his sake we may seem at times 
to lose our life we shall truly find it: and that at his 
coming we shall receive our reward, a reward more to 
be desired than all the world besides. Grant this, we 
beseech thee, for the sake of him who loved us and - 
gave himself for us, even Jesus Christ, our Lord. 
Amen. 

—Esen B. Coss, D.D. 


56 





Saturday Morning, Seventh Week 


T the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, 

Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And 
Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst 
of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be con- 
verted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into 
the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble 
himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the king- 
dom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little 
child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one 
of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him 
that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were 


drowned in the depth of the sea. —Marr. 18:1-6. 


Our Father, who art in heaven, we thank thee for 
all human relationships and for all the helpfulness and 
joy they bring into our lives. We thank thee that 
Jesus teaches us to know thee as Father; help us fully 
to commit ourselves and our friends to thy care this 
day; help us to cast all our anxiety upon thee knowing 
that thou carest for us. 

Have compassion upon our weaknesses ; lead us to 
discover and to use all the talents and powers for good 
that thou hast given us, that we may be blest in our 
tasks day by day and that each one of us may be a 
blessing to others. 

Restrain us from sin, O Lord, our God; strengthen 
us in thy service. Help us to appreciate the goodness 
‘n others and to do our part toward the increase of 
righteousness throughout the world. 

Give us the grace of sincerity, of earnestness, of 
simple faith; inspire within us high and holy purposes 
that through their exercise we may be as humble in 
spirit as little children. Help us to live this day as 
Jesus would have us live, in the spirit of his Kingdom 
and in the joy of his salvation. Through Jesus Christ 
our Lord, in whose name we pray. Amen. 

—Rev. Grorcr H. Fickes. 


Sunday Morning, Eighth Week 


OE unto the world because of offences! for it must 
needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by 
whom the offence cometh! Wherefore if thy hand or thy 
foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is 
better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than 
having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. 
And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from 
thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, 
rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. Take 
heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say 
unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the 
face of my Father which is in heaven. For the Son of man 
is come to save that which was lost. How think ye? if a 
man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, 
doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the 
mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if 
so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more 
of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not 
astray. E,ven so it is not the will of your Father which is in 

-heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. 
—Marr, 18 :7-14. 


Our Father, God and Father of our Lord and Sav- 
iour Jesus Christ, we thank thee for what thou art and 
for thy deep concern for thy children, especially for 
those who are young and weak and tempted, desiring 
that all temptations may be victoriously overcome. 

Help us this day not to put a hindrance in the path 
of anyone, but may we be ready to take away those 
dangers or pitfalls that others may have placed in the 
pathway. Remind us that the angels are watching these 
little ones and also our attitude toward them. 

Grant that we may have the courage to part from 
anything that will mar or destroy the family harmony 
or impede individual spiritual growth. Impress upon 
us anew the fact that wrongdoing will be punished. 

Give us a positive concern this day for those who 
are lost, remembering that Christ died for sinners. 

We ask this with the forgiveness of our sins in the 
name of Christ and for the sake of his Kingdom. 
Amen. —JosEpH McCriettan Broapy, D.D. 


58 





Monday Morning, Eighth Werk 


a D he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, 
when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; 
saying unto them, when thou art bidden of any man to a 
wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more hon- 
ourable man than thou be bidden of him; and he that bade 
thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and 
thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. But when 
thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that 
when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, 
go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence 
of them that sit at meat with thee. For whosoever exalteth 
himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall 
be exalted. —Luxe 14:7-11. 


Father, we come into thy presence to worship thee 
and to praise thee for all thy goodness to us and to all 
people. We thank thee for thy great love which finds 
constant joy in service to mankind. We thank thee for 
the service-giving spirit of Jesus Christ who humbled 
himself and became man to bring us the greater riches 
of God. We thank thee for the power of thy spirit in 
human hearts which prompts self-forgetful service. 

Endow every member of our home with thine own 
spirit of loving humility. Take away any desire to 
exalt ourselves unduly. Help us to become worthy of 
larger responsibilities. Make us increasingly willing to 
accept places of greater influence in the love spirit of 
service. Forbid that any of us should grow arrogant or 
selfish in our attitudes toward another in the home or 
toward those of other positions or races. Help us to 
make our home like heaven. Give us the spirit of hum- 
ble service for each other and for all mankind. Let thy 
spirit bless the relationships of individuals and nations. 

Forgive us when we thoughtlessly become selfish or 
self-seeking. Pardon all our sins and transgressions. 
Teach us to live more perfectly. May thy Kingdom 
come and thy will be done in our home and in all the 
world “for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and 


the glory.” For Jesus’ sake. Amen. 
—Rrv, Anson T. DEWEY. 


99 





Cursday Morning, Eighth Week 


ND, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, 

what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 
And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there 1s 
none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into 
life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? 
Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit 
adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false wit- 
ness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love 
thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, 
All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I 
yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and 
sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have 
treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the 
young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for 
he had great possessions. —Marr. 1916-22. 


Our Father in heaven, we are ashamed that we can- 
not say as did this young man that we have kept thy 
commandments from our youth up. We wish with all 
our hearts that we could say it, but we cannot. For- 
give us in thine infinite mercy, through Jesus Christ, 
who was without sin, and enable us more and more per- 
fectly to keep thy law as parents, as children, as broth- 
ers and sisters, and in all the relationships of life. May 
we love one another, and our neighbors as ourselves. 

Enable us, we pray thee, not to be too much attached 
to any of our possessions. All that we have is from 
thee, and we acknowledge that we must enjoy and use 
our possessions for thy glory and for the spread of thy 
Kingdom. Incline us and all of thy children to sacrifi- 
cial giving of our possessions, ourselves, and those who 

_ are dearer to us than life, that all men everywhere, in 
our own land and across the seas, may have eternal life. 
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 


60 





Weduesday Morning, Eighth Week 


ie said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one 
on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy 
glory. But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: 
can ye drink of the cup that I drink of ? and be baptized with 
the baptism that I am baptized with? And they said unto 
him, We can, And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed 
drink of the cup that I drink of ; and with the baptism that I 
am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: but to sit on my 
right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it 
shall be given to them for whom it is prepared. And when 
the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James 
and John. But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto 
them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over 
the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones 
exercise authority upon them, But so shall it not be among 
you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your 
minister: and whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be 
servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be 
ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ran- 
som for many. —Mark 10:37-45. 


Our heavenly Father, we thank thee for the rest of 
the night and the light of the morning. Help us to 
walk this day in thy way, making thy Word the man of 
of our counsel. We know not what is best for us, and 
therefore may thy Holy Spirit direct our lives. Keep 
us from seeking position or preferment which would 
bring us only distress and sorrow. Make us content 
with our lot if our present position in life is thy pur- 
pose for us. Help us ever to say, “ Thy will be done.” 
Give us right incentives and laudable desires. Show us 
that the truly great life is the life of service, and make 
us willing and ready to serve. Help us in this day’s 
duties. Use us in thy work and help us to make use of 
every help afforded for better work. When the day is 
done, may we be able to look back upon it-as a day 
well spent. We ask it through Jesus Christ, our ever- 


living Friend and Saviour. Amen. 
—=-(GATVIN .Crell Aven LL. 


61 


Chursday Morning, Eighth Werk 


HAY D it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he 
passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And 
as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men 
that were lepers, which stood afar off: and they lifted up 
their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And 
when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves 
unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, 
they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he 
was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 
and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and 
he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there 
not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not 
found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 
And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath 
made thee whole. —Luxr 17:11-19. 


We want to live our lives to-day, our Father, so that 
thou wilt be pleased with us, so that we may not be 
ashamed or disappointed. Father, help us to under- 
stand thy words from the Bible this morning, as we 
have read how Jesus, thy Son, helped the lepers he met. 
We shall meet people who need help, our Father—it 
may be kindness, love, sympathy, encouragement they 
need. Whatever it may be, may we help them in the 
spirit of Jesus. May the words we speak, the example 
we reveal, and the things we do for others show that 
we are trying to be helpful as Jesus was helpful. 

We are sorry, Father, that the men healed by Jesus 
forgot to be grateful. Sometimes we forget. Show us 
how we may express our thanks and appreciation, at 
home, at school, in our work and play. 

Our Father, we want to learn to have more faith 
every day and we pray for faith this morning and faith 
and love all through the day. Whatever success or joy 
or difficulty or trial may come, help us to meet it with 
faith that it is a blessing in our lives to-day or in the 
days ahead. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. 

—Rev. Winttam Rayex Hatz, 


62 





Friday Morning, Eighth Week 


Aa? he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in 
themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 
two men went up into the temple to pray ; the one a Pharisee, 
and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed 
thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other 
men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this pub- 
lican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I 
possess, And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift 
up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his 
breast saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, 
this man went down to his house justified rather than the 
other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased ; 
and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.—Luxg 18 :9-14. 


Our Father, we thank thee for the manifold bless- 
ings that are ours this day: for the comforts of Inte. 
for the advantages of education; for the many opportu- 
nities of worshiping and serving thee which possibly 
others do not have. Grant that we may realize to what 
an extent we are indebted to thy revelation to men for 
all these mercies, and thus be restrained from assum- 
ing a spirit of pride and vanity as though we ourselves 
had attained. 

Fill us with the spirit of Christ, who, recognizing the 
appalling human needs, sacrificed himself in order that 
these might be satisfied. May we be unmindful of any 
merit we may have in the eyes of the world but con- 
cerned that to thee shall be the honor and the glory. 
Recognizing our unworthiness may we trust thee for 
strength and courage to accomplish those things which 
thou wouldst have us do. Help us, we beseech thee, 
humbly and modestly to face the tasks and opportuni- 
ties of this day with enthusiasm, earnestness, unselfish- 
ness, and a consciousness that thou art standing by, 
ready to justify if our work is of thee. For Christ’s 


sake. Amen. 
—RatpH W. Harsison. 


63 


Saturday Morning, Eighth Week 


Ae Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, 
behold, there was a man named Zacchzeus, which was 
the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he 
sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, 
because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and 
climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to 
pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked 
up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zaccheus, make haste, 
and come down; for today I must abide at thy house, And 
he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 
And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he 
was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And 
Zaccheus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the 
half of my goods I give to the poor; and if J have taken 
any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him 
fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation 
come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of 
Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save 
that which was lost, —LuxeE 19:1-10. 


We thank thee, our Father, that the desire to see 
Jesus is in our hearts, also. From the youngest of us 
to the oldest, we desire to walk with him as our invisible 
Companion, until at last we can see him face to face. 
We thank thee for those of our family circle who 
walked with him as we walk, and who now in his pres- 
ence are like him because they see him as he is. 

We thank thee that salvation has come to our house 
for the Lord Jesus dwells here with us, and has sought 
and saved the lost in this house, as he visited and 
brought salvation to the house of Zacchzeus. Restrain 
us from doing wrong to anyone, and if we have 
wronged any make us strong enough to confess the 
wrong and undo it as far as we can. Because this is 
a house in which the Lord Jesus is the unseen Guest, 
may the whole spirit of our life together be such that 
it may commend to other families the religion which ~ 
we profess. 

Bless all those throughout the world who are giving 
their lives to bringing the Lord Jesus as a Friend and a 
Saviour into all the homes of the world. In his name 
we ask it. Amen. 


64 





Sunday Morning, Ninth Werk 


fd D one of the scribes came, and having heard them rea- 

soning together, and perceiving that he had answered 
them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of 
all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the command- 
ments is Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord: and 
thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with 
all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: 
this 1s the first commandment. And the second is like, 
namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 
There is none other commandment greater than these. And 
the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the 
truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: 
and to love him with all the heart, and with all the under- 
standing, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and 
to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt 
offerings and sacrifices. And when Jesus saw that he an- 
swered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from 
the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him 
any question. —Mark 12 :28-34. 


To thee, our heavenly Father, we bring our morning 
praise for thy great goodness which has thus far kept 
us and led us in safety on our way. Spared by thy 
mercy to begin this new day, we pray for thy blessing 
that we may be made sufficient in health of body, in 
wisdom of mind, and in strength of spirit for its every 
need. Since thou hast first loved us, revealing that 
love by riches of grace through thy Son, our Saviour, 
give us warm hearts to love thee as we ought. 

Take away our narrowness of vision and coldness of 
nature that in loving thee we may render true affection 
toward our fellows in kindly thought, in fitting speech, 
and in generous deed. So cause us to find in captivity 
to thy great commandments the larger freedom of our 
souls. In like measure we pray for all thy children. 

Forgive our sins for Christ’s sake. Uphold our going 

* forth that at our coming in each one of us may say, 
“T have walked with God to-day.” And to thy blessed 
name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, will we ever as- 
cribe glory and honor, dominion and power. In Jesus’ 


name. Amen. 
—Joun FE. Busunet, D.D. 


65 


Monday Morning, Ninth Week 


hee shall the King say unto them on his right hand, 
Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom 
prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I 
was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and 
ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 
naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I 
was in prison, and ye came unto me. ‘Then shall the right- 
eous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hun- 
gered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When 
saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and 
clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and 
came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto 
them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it 
unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it 
unto me, —Mart. 25 :34-40. 


Our heavenly Father, we would go forth to-day ready 
and eager to bear one another’s burdens and so to ful- 
fill the law of Christ, with whom we would walk “in 
lowly paths of service.” Help us to bear on our minds 
what others are bearing in their bodies and upon their 
hearts. Give us hearts at leisure from ourselves to 
soothe and sympathize. Wherever we find loneliness or 
want or sickness or sorrow we would at least try to 
pst the load and to be bringers of peace and joy and 

ope. 

Give us, O God, the Master’s own gracious insight and 
understanding. Keep us from tactless bungling, from 
all well-meaning but blundering efforts to help which 
hurt rather than heal. Put far from us a patronizing 
spirit and all professional doing of good. We do not 
ask for the gratitude or appreciation or even for the 
remembrance of men, but only that we may be worthy 
of hearing at last from the lips of him whom not 
having seen we love, the words, ‘“‘ Inasmuch as ye have 
done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, 
ye have done it unto me.” In Jesus’ name we pray. - 
Amen, 

—Rerv. J. Ermer Russet. 


Cuesday Morning, Ninth Werk 


TE! not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, be- 

lieve also in me. In my Father’s house are many man- 
sions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to 
prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for 
you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that 
where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye 
know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, 
we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the 
way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the 
life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had 
known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from 
henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith 
unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 
Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and 
yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me 
hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us 
the Father? —Joun 14:1-9, 








We thank thee, our heavenly Father, for this picture 
of a happy home which we may carry in our hearts 
to-day. We pray for the troubled hearts that are 
broken by sorrow and seem to dwell alone. Help them 
to remember him who went away that a place might be 
prepared for them. May their homes to-day be made 
brighter through the hope and assurance of the home 
eternal. 

Some will come in contact to-day with things that 
are sordid and mean and sinful. This evil may rise up 
within our own hearts. Help us to think about the 
things that are pure and lovely and of good report. 
These are thy gifts, the things which thou hast pre- 
pared for thy children. 

And if any of us to-day lose our way and come into 
shame and fear and failure, make us to hear thy loving 
call and, turning back, to follow thee. So shall we 
come to know thee, finding in thee life eternal, and 
thou wilt lead us and all thy children in the paths of 
righteousness for thy name’s sake. So shall we dwell 
in the house of the Lord to-day and forever. We ask 
in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

—Rev. Water L. Van Nuys. 


67 


Wreduesdhay Morning, Ninth Week 


A RES is my commandment, That ye love one another, as 
I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, 
that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my 
friends, if ye do whatsoever I command ‘you. Henceforth | 
call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his 
lord doeth: but I have called you friends ; for all things that 
I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained 
you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your 
fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the 
Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I 
command you, that ye love one another. —Joun 15:12-17. 


Lord Jesus, we know that unless thou hadst loved us 
and laid down thy life for us, we should be without 
hope and without God in the world. How shall we ever 
praise thee as we ought? We will keep thy command- 
ment: we will love one another. More than a mother 
rejoices in loving service that she renders to her chil- 
dren, thou dost rejoice in kindness shown to the least 
of thy children. Even as a father’s heart is lifted up 
when his children love one another, so thou art filled 
with joy when thy disciples are kindly affectioned one 
to another. For this thou didst pray, this thou hast 
commanded, this will we do: we will love one another. | 
We rejoice that since thou didst command it, it is pos- 
sible, in spite of the hardness and selfishness of our | 
hearts, in spite of the unlovable traits of our friends. 
Thus shall we please thee, and thus shall we know that 
we have passed out of death into life. : 

By thine own example of immeasurable love, by 
thine indwelling spirit, Lord Jesus, help us to love one 
another. For thine own name’s sake. Amen. 

—Reryv, Epwarp J. RUSSELL. 


68 





Chursday Morning, Ninth Week 


A® thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also 
sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify 
myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. 
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall 
believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; 
as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may 
be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent 
me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them ; 
that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou 
in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the 
world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved 
them, as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, 
whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they 
may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou 
lovedst me before the foundation of the world. O righteous 
Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known 
thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. And I 
have declared “unto them thy name, and will declare it: that 
the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and 
I in them. —Joun 17 :18-26. 


O God, who dost always hear thy Son, our Saviour, 
look upon us in mercy in his name. Our hearts over- 
flow with thanksgiving for thy great salvation, and we 
rejoice that we have access to thy throne of grace. 

We acknowledge our unworthiness and confess our 
sins, and implore thee to forgive us, for thou art slow 
to anger and of great mercy, and hast promised, if we 
repent, to wash us thoroughly from our iniquities. We 
plead, O Lord, for pardon in the name of him who hath 
opened a fountain for cleansing. 

Give us, we pray thee, O Lord, grace to live to-day 
in thy love and service. Enable us to resist seductive 
temptations and to fight bravely the good fight of faith. 
Make thy Church to witness gloriously, and may thy 
missionaries be valiant soldiers of the great Captain. 
Cause the Kingdom of our divine Lord so to prevail 
that he may see the desire of his soul that thy will may 
be done on earth as it is in heaven. Through Jesus 


Christ our Lord. Amen. 
—Wri11AM Porter Ler, D.D. 


69 


Friday Morning, Ninth Werk 


OW Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came 

unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. 
But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou 
sayest. And when he was gone out into the porch, another 
maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fel- 
low was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied 
with an oath, I do not know the man. And after a while 
came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely 
thou also art one of them; for thy speech betrayeth thee. 
Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the 
man, And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remem- 
bered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the 
cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and 
wept bitterly. —Marr. 26 :69-75. 


Our heavenly Father, we thank thee for another day 
of life and opportunity. Help us to live with grateful 
hearts and enable us to meet every opportunity with 
courage and fidelity. Give us strength to resist the 
sudden onslaught of temptation. Keep our lips not only 
from guile but from any hasty word that would grieve: 
our Lord. May we not by word or look or conduct 
deny that Jesus is our Lord and Master. And if, in 
our weakness, in the daily routine of life or in our 
effort to serve we are overtaken in a fault help us in 
sincere penitence to confess it. For we are taught that 
if we confess our sins thou art “faithful and just to 
forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unright- 
eousness.” ‘Then, with the assurance of forgiveness in 
our hearts, may we give ourselves to a more modest 
estimate of ourselves, a larger charity towards others, 
and a more devoted allegiance to thy cause. And to thy 


name be all the praise. Amen. 
—Warren H. Lanpon, D.D. 


70 





Haturday Morning, Ninth Werk 


ND when they were come to the place, which is called 
Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, 
one on the right hand, and the other on the left. 

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not 
what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. 
And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with 
them derided him, saying, He saved others ; let him save him- 
self, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. And the soldiers 
also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, 
and saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. 
And a superscription also was written over him in letters of 
Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIs IS THE KING OF THE 
JEWS. 

And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on 
him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the 
other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear 
God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we 
indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds: 
but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto 
Jesus, Lord remember me when thou comest into thy king- 
dom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, 
Today shalt thou be with me in paradise, —Luxe 23 :33-43. 


Lord Jesus, at the opening of a new day we, a family 
of thine, kneel to praise and thank thee for our home, 
our sustenance, our common bond of love and joy in 
thyself. Continue thy care to-day and bring us through 
the hours of toil and pleasure with untarnished souls 
and unharmed bodies. Intercede for us, O Christ, for 
our heavenly Father’s forgiveness for all disobediences 
of yesterday, for, like the soldiers who crucified thee, 
we know not altogether what we do. Help each one of 
us that we neither mock nor scourge nor crucify thee 
afresh to-day by any transgression of thy holy will or 
by any failure in duty. Walk with us in all this day’s 
affairs that wherever we go and whatever we do it shall 
be for us paradise because we are with thee and thou 
with us. All in thy blessed name we ask. Amen. 

—Rockwe ui S. Brank, D.D. 


71 


Sunday Morning, Tenth Week 


Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the 
morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the 
spices which they had prepared, and certain others with 
them. And they found the stone rolled away from the 
sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of 
the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much 
perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in 
shining garments: and as they were afraid, and bowed down 
their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye 
the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: 
remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Gali- 
lee, saying, The son of man must be delivered into the hands 
of sinful men. and be crucified, and the third day rise again. 
And they remembered his words, and returned from the 
sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to 
all the rest. —Luxke 24:1-9. 


O God and Father of our Lord Christ, whom wicked 
hands crucified unto death and loving hands laid within 
the sepulcher, we give thee hearty praise and thanks 
that thou didst not suffer thy Holy One to see corrup- 
tion, but didst show him the path of life and uplift him 
from the grave. 

And we humbly pray that in all the experiences of 
life our faith and hope may rest in thee; that when we 
are bowed down beneath the weight of any burden that 
is too heavy for us or at the last are called to walk 
alone through the valley of the shadow of death, we 
may remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, and 
may find strength and comfort in the assurance of 
thine almighty power, which is able to subdue all things 
unto thyself and alike in life and in death give us the 
victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 

—Louis F, Benson, D.D. 


72 





Monday Morning, Tenth Week 


BU Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not 
with them when Jesus came. The other disciples there- 
fore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said 
unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the 
nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust 
my hand into his side, i will not believe. 

And after eight days again his disciples were within, and 
Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, 
and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then 
saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my 


hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: 


and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered 
and’ said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto 
him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed : 
blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. 
And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of 
his disciples, which are not written in this book: but these 
are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the 
Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through 
his name. —Joun 20:24-31. 


Our Father and our God, we thank thee for the rest 
of thy holy day, for the open Bible, and for the bless- 
ings of communion in the worship of thy house. We 
thank thee for refreshing sleep and the opportunities 
now before us in this new day. As we separate go with 
us to its engagements, its pleasures, and its labors. 
Shield us from harm; and bring us together again at 
nightfall happy in the mutual love and trust of a Chris- 
tian home. 

Deliver us from fear of evil men, of evil fortune, or 
of evil tidings. Deliver us from doubt of thee, our 
Father; of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Friend; of 
ourselves, saved and strengthened by thee through 
Christ. May we live to the full that life which we re- 
ceive only through his name. 

Bless any members of our family who are away 
from home. Shelter them in the haven of thy love and 
care. Forgive all our sins; gird us for duty; inspire us 
to helpful service. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. 


Amen. 
—Louis B. Crane, D.D. 
73 


Cursday Morning, Centh Week 


-A ND the multitude of them that believed were of one 
heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that 
ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they 
had all things common. And with great power gave the 
apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and 
great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among 
them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or 
houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that 
were sold, and laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and dis- 
tribution was made unto every man according as he had need. 
And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, 
(which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a 
Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, 

and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 
—Acts 4:32-37. 


Give us this day, our Father, hearts of kindness and 
love. Deliver us from all selfishness. Make us gener- 
ous toward the failures and faults of others, consider- 
ing ourselves lest we also be tempted. Help us to 
enlarge our own souls by a ministry to human need. If 
we find those in whom courage and buoyancy are 
broken may we have grace from thee to restore them. 
Keep us very close to him who had sympathy for the 
outcast, and for the rich young man as well; who 
mourned the unbelief of Thomas and the defection of 
Peter; who, communing with a woman beside a well, 
revealed a charity transcending all differences of race 
and creed, wealth and character; who showed tender- 
ness to a thief upon a cross and thus proclaimed his 
yearning for the weakest and the worst of us all. Help 
us to achieve an unfailing sympathy for everyone who 
needs it, to the end that all possible channels may be 
kept open for a free flow of thine own perfect love and 
pity to all thy children. These things we ask, humbly 
acknowledging our hourly need of thee, and thy un- 
failing care. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

—Daniet Russe, D.D. 


74 


Wednesday Morning, Tenth Week 


HE, word which God sent unto the children of Israel, 

preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 
that word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout 
all Judzea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which 
John preached; how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with 
the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, 
and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was 
with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did 
both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they 
slew and hanged on a tree: him God raised up the third day, 
and shewed him openly; not to all the people, but unto wit- 
nesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and 
drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he com- 
manded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that 
it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick 
and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through 
his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission 
of sins. —Acts 10 :36-43. 


Kind heavenly Father, we are grateful to thee for 
thy mercy, which has been extended to us in spite of 
our sins. We thank thee for Jesus Christ, whom thou 
didst send to die for our redemption. We thank thee 
that in answer to the prayer of Christ thou didst send 
the Holy Spirit to lead us, to reveal to us all things 
that Christ has done, is doing, and will do for us. We 
thank thee that the Holy Spirit convinces us of sin, of 
righteousness, and of judgment, and that when we fol- 
low his leadership, see Christ as he reveals him to us, 
and accept Christ as our personal Saviour, he regen- 
erates us by the application of the blood of Christ, bap- 
tizes us into the body of Christ, and seals us with his 
own everlasting seal. 

Pardon every sin that we have committed. Make us 
conscious that we stand before thee, through the death 
of Christ, justified. Correct us, chastise us, lead us, fill 
us, fit us and use us for thy glory. Bless our home and 
bless our loved ones. Teach us how to love thee and to 
serve thee; teach us how to be a benediction, a blessing 
to others; teach us how to lead others to Christ. Bless 
our enemies. Have mercy and compassion upon us, we 


ask thee. For Christ’s sake. Amen. 
—M. A. Matruews, D.D. 
75 


Chursday Morning, Tenth Week 


V4 ino D at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises 
unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly 
there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the 
prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were 
opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. And the keeper 
of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison 
doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed 
himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But 
Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: 
for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang 
in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 
and brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must J do to be 
saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and 
thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto 
him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 
And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed 
their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. 
And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat 
before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house. 

| —Acrs 16 :25-34, 


Almighty God, our Father in heaven, we praise thee 
for thy majesty and power, for thy loving-kindness, 
and for all thy works, and we rejoice in the mighty 
wonders which through the centuries have been accom- 
plished in thy name. 

We thank thee for the courage, heroism, and endur- 
ance of thy servants, Paul and Silas, and for their fi- 
delity to the Lord Jesus Christ and his gospel. As our 
hearts have been stirred by the vivid record of the 
power of a living faith, grant to us now, O God, a 
sharper sense of our responsibility for the preservation 
and proclamation of the truth. 

Going forth to engage in our several activities to-day, 
may we through the influence of the Holy Spirit be 
inspired with a love of the highest and best things and 
dominated by a fresh impetus to do thy will, O God. 

Remember us in great mercy, O God, in the forgive- 
ness of our sins and help us in increasing measure to 
love righteousness and truth. In the name of Jesus 


Christ. Amen. 
—A.pert A. REeEp. 
76 


Friday Morning, Tenth Week 


END from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the 
elders of the church. And when they were come to him, 
he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came 
into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all 
seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and 
with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the 
lying in wait of the Jews: and how I kept back nothing that 
was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have 
taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both 
to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, 
and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, | 
go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things 
that shall befall me there: save that the Holy Ghost witness- 


eth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. 


But none of these things move me, neither count I my life 
dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, 
and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, 
to testify the gospel of the grace of God. —Acrs 20:17-24. 


Our dear Father in heaven, as we come to thee this 
morning we would ask thee for steadfastness. We have 
~ read of thy servant, the Apostle Paul, and are reminded 
of his loyalty to Jesus Christ and of his faithfulness to 
his task. We thank thee for his heroic life, for the 
ardent love for Christ that caused him to brave untold 
dangers. We thank thee for this apostle to the Gen- 
tiles who first brought the gospel to the Western world. 
May each one of us with true devotion serve our Lord 
Jesus Christ. Grant unto us the help of thy Spirit that 
we also may be true witnesses to thy cause. Grant us 
strength to-day to live as Christians, whether we are 
at work or at play, in the home or upon the street, at 
school or in the office, in the shop or upon the farm. 
May we ever be close to thee, Lord Jesus, for with thee 
we can face the future with confidence. In thy name, 


we pray. Amen. 
—Rey, JAMES A. VERBURG. 


77 


Saturday Morning, Tenth Week 


OR that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that 

I do not; but what I hate, that do J. If then I do that 
which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 
Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in 
me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth 
no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to per- 
form that which is good I find not. For the good that I 
would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 
Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but 
sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I 
would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the 
law of God after the inward man: but I see another law in 
my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bring- 
ing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my mem- 
bers. O wretched man that Iam! who shall deliver me from 
the body of this death? J thank God through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of 
God; but with the flesh the law of sin. —Rom. 7:15-25. 


O thou from whom cometh every good desire, we 
thank thee for that in us which is ashamed of evil and 
delights in the law of God, and for the will that we 
have to make war against all that is wicked in our 
hearts. We confess our sins of envy and pride and 
selfish ambition and the manifold workings of the sin 
that dwells in us. We ask thy forgiveness, and we be- 
seech thee for sufficient grace to keep sin from reign- 
ing in our souls. Keep us from being discouraged and 
giving up the holy war. 

We pray for all our loved ones, and all who may be 
even now having a hard fight to resist some strong 
temptation. Show them thy salvation in this fight with 
their enemy and thine. O gracious God and Father, 
our help and our hope, work in us and in all thy striv- 
ing children to will and to do of thy good pleasure. 
Guard us from relying on our own strength. Cheer us 
with the assurance of faith which is the victory, by . 
which we are more than conquerors through Jesus who 
loved us and gave himself for us. In his name we 
ask it. Amen. 

—Grorce N, Luccocx, D.D. 


78 


a 





Sunday Morning, Eleventh Week 


HEREFORE, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, 
to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye 
shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds 
of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the 
Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not 
received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have 
received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, 
Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, 
that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs ; 
heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we 
suffer with him, that we may also be glorified together. 
—Rom. 8:12-17. 


We thank thee, O God, that our bodies are not to be 
our masters but our servants; that we are not to live 
after the flesh which leads to death but to be led by 
the Spirit and live. We thank thee that through the 
Spirit we become children of God and joint heirs with 
Christ. We thus draw near to thee, not with fear, but 
with the confidence of children going to an earthly 
father. 

Forgive us our sins, O God, and may we be bold and 
strong to fight against every evil and to be “ more than 
conquerors through him that loved us.” 

Grant thy blessing upon our home. O Christ, be 
very near to each one and help us to follow thee. May 
we speak with gentleness. Deliver us from faultfind- 
ing and give each one the spirit of the Master who 
went about doing good. 

Help us, O God, to do our part in the world. We 
pray for our missionaries at home and abroad. Give 
them strength for their great work. Bless, we pray 
thee, our Church. May our ministers preach the Word 
and may sinners be converted. May thy Kingdom truly 
come and “ thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” 

Answer us through the great grace of our Lord and 
Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen. 

—SAMUEL S, Pater, D.D. 


79 


Monday Morning, Eleventh Week 


HAT shall we then say to these things? If God be for 

us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own 
Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with 
him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay anything 
to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who 
is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, 
that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who 


also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from — 
the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecu- — 


tion, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is 
written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are 
accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things 
we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 
For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, 


nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things — 


to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall 
be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in 
Christ Jesus our Lord. —Rom. 8 :31-39. 


O Lord, our Father which art in heaven, thou hast 
brought us through the shadows of the night to the 
light of another day. As thou hast granted us this day 
in thy mercy, help us to return it unto thee in loving 
service. We go forth to the tasks and duties of the 
new day not knowing what shall befall us. We pray 
that thou wouldst go with us and let the angel of thy 
presence be our guide. We know from past experience 
that temptations, trials, and hidden perils await us. But 
we would go in the strength of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
Help us, we beseech thee, on this day and throughout 
our lives, to discover anew how great and precious is 
the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord, and how he: 
is able to keep us from falling and present us faultless 
before the presence of thy glory with exceeding joy. 
In his name we ask it. Amen. 

—CLARENCE Epwarp Macartney, D.D. 


80 


OE 





Cursday Morning, Eleventh Week 


: hoe love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is 
evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned 
one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one 
another ; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving 
the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribuation ; continuing 
instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints; 
given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, 
and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep 
with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward an- 
other. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low 
estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to 
no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all 
men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably 
with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but 
rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is 
mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy 
hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so 
doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not over- 
come of evil, but overcome evil with good. —Rom. 12:9-21. 


Thou great Judge and Redeemer of men, our hearts 
have been searched by this Scripture which we have 
just read. If we could stop to ponder every sentence 
of it, there is no command which would not pierce our 
hearts with a sense of our disobedience. Our hearts 
condemn us for the spirit of our lives at home, among 
those who know us best, and for our lives in the world, 
among those who look to us to see wherein the spirit of 
the Christian life differs from the life of the world. 

Renew our understanding of the spirit of the Chris- 
tian life; renew us in our affections and our wills that 
we may truly desire and earnestly strive after those 
Christian virtues and graces of which the great apostle 
speaks. During this day may no evil overcome us, 
whether it be an evil deed done against us or an evil 
word spoken against us, but may the good which thou 
dost encourage in our hearts overcome all the evil. 

O Lord, who art mighty so that none can withstand 
thee, make good victorious in the hearts and minds of 
men and nations to-day, that thy Kingdom may come 
and thy will be done. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 


81 


Wednesday Morning, Eleventh Week 


py D though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and 
though I give my body to be burned, and have not char- 
ity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is 
kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not 
puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her 
own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not 
in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, be- 
lieveth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 
Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they 
shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease ; whether 
there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in 
part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is per- 
fect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a 
child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, IJ put 
away childish things. For now we see through a glass, 
darkly ; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then 
shall I know even as also J am known. And now abideth 
faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is 
charity. —I Cor. 13:3-13. 


Our Father, God, we bless thee for the love that 
never fails, whose length and breadth and height and 
depth none can measure. We humbly ask that by thy 
grace thou wilt help us to remember that whatever this 
day may bring it cannot separate us from the love 
which follows us and guards us all the way. 

Forgive us that in our goings and comings, in our 
strivings and failings, we have so often forgotten the 
strength which thy love provides in the hour when 
temptation lays a beguiling hand upon us to lead us 
from the path of honor. In our hearts we desire above 
all else to be faithful to the trust of life and only the 
remembrance of thy love is sufficient to keep us true. 

We ask that for to-day, and every succeeding day, 
we may answer thy love with our own; as thou hast 
given us thy beloved Son, so may we give our best to 
thee. And may we come to know, whatever be our 
burdens or disappointments, that “all things work to- 
gether for good to them that love thee.” In Jesus’ 
name we ask it. Amen. 

—CHaArLES A. CAMPBELL, D.D. 


82 





Thursday Morning, Eleventh Week 


New this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot in- 
herit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption 
inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We 
shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed, in a moment, in 
the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet 
shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and 
we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incor- 
ruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when 
this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this 
mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought 
to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in 
victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy 
victory? ‘The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin 
is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the vic- 
tory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved 
brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in 
the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour 
is not in vain in the Lord. —I Cor. 15:50-58. 


Eternal God, our Creator and heavenly Father, who 
hast given us bodies of flesh and blood to serve our 
spirits in time, and spirits to rule our bodies and serve 
thee throughout time, enable us so to live in harmony 
with thy laws that we may have health and physical * 
vigor to perform our work. 

Keep us faithful in our present tasks; but may we 
see them ever in their eternal relationships. Teach us 
the meaning and message of our Saviour’s resurrec- 
tion. Forbid that we should feel overmuch at home in 
this present world. Keeping step with our generation, 
we would yet see in faith a goal beyond present hori- 
zons, and march steadfastly toward the home of the 
spirit. Imbue us constantly with a realization that we 
are pilgrims. If the baggage of life increase, may it 
not impede our pilgrimage. So impart thy grace that 
we may-use this present world to thy glory, laying up 
in store the things that are unseen, and, building into 
our lives the things that shall prepare us to live for- 
ever. We ask it through Christ, our crucified and 
risen Saviour. Amen. 

—Davip H. Craver, D.D. 


83 


Friday Morning, Eleventh Werk 


UT we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the 
excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are 


perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken ; 


cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the 
body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus 
might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are 
alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also 
of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh... . 
For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man 
perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our 
light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a 
far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we 
look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which 
are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; 
but the things which are not seen are eternal. 

—II Cor. 4:7-11; 16-18. 


Heavenly Father, as we enter upon this day’s life we 
desire to pledge thee anew our glad devotion. What- 
ever the day may bring to us of duty, of responsibility, 
and of trial, grant that we may carry ourselves all 
through its hours as those who have thine unfailing 

» support and as those who are heirs of thine everlasting 
glory. May these very bodies of ours be used so 
sacredly that all our words, looks, and deeds shall tend 
to make the beauty of Jesus manifest to the world. 
May there be such strength in our hearts that it will be 
easy and even pleasant to carry all our burdens and 
meet all our perplexities. Grant that we may see every- 
thing we have to do not as it looks in the light of to- 
day but as it looks in the light of eternity. Grant that 
thus eternal values shall decide and control us in every 
matter. May we so live in all affairs that, weak and 
ignorant and incapable as we seem, there shall be in us 
the excellency of the power of God and that our con- 
stantly renewed cheer shall make us more than con- 
querors through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

—JAmeEs G. K. McCrurg, D.D. 


84 


_— 


Saturday Morning, Eleventh Werk 


HIS I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not 
fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against 
the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are 
contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things 
that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not 
under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, 
which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciv- 
iousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, 
wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunk- 
enness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you 
before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which 
do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But 
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gen- 
tleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such 
there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified 
the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the 
Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous 
of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. 
—GAL, 5 :16-26. 


Almighty God, we crave a fuller consciousness of thy 
being, of thy presence, and of thy power. We long for 
a closer communion with thee through thy Holy Spirit. 
Reminding ourselves of the words of the Lord Jesus 
that if we being evil know how to give good gifts unto. 
our children, how much more will the heavenly Father 
give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him, we ask thee, 
O Father, to bestow the gift of thy Spirit upon us. 
Enable us to open our bodies and spirits to him: our 
bodies that he may enter in and make them fit temples 
for his indwelling; our spirits that he may inspire and 
energize them to every good work. More and more 
may he exercise his mission of convicting of sin, of 
righteousness, and of judgment to come; of taking of 
the things of Christ and showing them unto us; of 
working in us to will and to do according to God’s good 
pleasure; of sanctifying us unto the day of our redemp- 
tion. And God forbid that we should ever quench the 
Spirit, lest this heavenly fire within us, once out, should 
never be rekindled. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

—WitiaAM P, Finney, D.D. 


85 


Sunday Morning, Twelfth Week 


W HEREFORE putting away lying, speak every man 
truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of 
another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down 
upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil. Let him 
that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working 
with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to 
give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication 
proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use 
of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed 
unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, 
and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from 
you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tender- 
hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake 
hath forgiven you. —Epu, 4:25-32. 


We are glad, our Father, for another return of the 
day which thou hast set aside for rest and worship. 
May our hearts be open to the message of thy Word 
and of thy Spirit. May the spirit of this portion of thy 
Word go with us through the week. May there be no 
place in our hearts for anger and bitterness and wrath 
and evil speaking. ‘The presence of these are an ever 
open door for the entrance of the Evil One, bringing 
only unhappiness and sorrow. Forgive us that we have 
‘harbored these things. 

Enable us, our Father, to be ever more responsive to 
the Holy Spirit, who strives continually to build us 
into the likeness of the Christ, that we may live his life 
day by day among our fellows. May he so lead us that 

cthey) may feel the spirit of love, of forgiveness, of 
sacrifice, of genuine and kindly interest in all/theip joys 
and sorrows, and so take knowledge that we have been 
with Jesus and learned of him. And because our lives 
have touched theirs, may they want to know our Christ, 
in whose name we come this morning. Amen. 
—P. E. Green. 


86 


Monday Morning, Cwelfth Week 


Oreck in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord 
is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by 
prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests 
be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which 
passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds 
through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things 
are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are 
just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are 
lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any 
virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and 
heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be 
with you. —Pur, 4:4-9. 


Almighty and eternal God, thou art the source of the 
light that never sets and of the love that never fails. 
We come to thee that we may rejoice in thy light and 
live in thy love. We come to thee that we may enter 
into thy fellowship, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

We would rejoice in the Lord and rest our souls in 
him. Knowing that he is ever mindful, we would trust 
the divine peace which is able to keep our hearts and 
minds in Christ Jesus. May we think much of Christ 
and thinking upon him may we have our minds filled 
with those things that are true and honest and just and 
pure and lovely and of good report. 

Into thy gracious keeping we commend ourselves and 
all whom we love. Heal the sick, comfort the sorrow- 
ing, support the weary. Bless all little children. In 
thy great mercy forgive our sins and reveal thyself to 
us as our all-sufficient Saviour. In the name of Jesus. 


Amen, 
—Hucu T. Kerr, D.D. 


87 


Curshay Morning, Owelfth Week 


UT on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, 
bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meek- 
ness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving 
one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as 
Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things 
put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let 
the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are 
called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of 
Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and ad- 
monishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual 
songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And 
whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the 

Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. 
—Cor. 3:12-17. 


Heavenly Father, we have been highly honored in 
that we have been called out of the darkness of sin into 
the glorious liberty of the children of God. We bring 
thee praise for thy loving-kindness toward us and we 
pray that thou wilt enrich us with that spirit of humil- 
ity which becomes those who enter into the presence of 
the sovereign God. When we meditate upon the fact 
that thou hast called us thy children, we become more 
and more conscious of the fact that thy love and mer- 
cies are unspeakable. May our minds and hearts be so 
enlightened by the Holy Spirit that we may understand 
that the goodness of God should lead us to repentance 
and persuade us to walk as children of light. Teach us 
how to live in the spirit and power of our blessed Lord, 
who went about doing good, and help us not to forget 
that our heavenly Father is interested in all our daily 
life. Help us to encourage one another in the Chris- 
tian life and to do all things to thine honor and glory. 
We ask these things through Jesus Christ, our Lord. 
Amen. 

—Rev. Warren R, Warp. 


Wednesday Morning, Twelfth Merk 


OW we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are un- 

ruly, comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, be 
patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil 
unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both 
among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray 
without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the 
will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the 
Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold 
fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. 
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly ; and I pray 
God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blame- 
less unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is 
he that calleth you, who also will ‘do it.  —I Tuerss. 5314-24, 


Lord, we thank thee for the new day that thou hast 
given us. Help us to feel that it has come to us from 
thy hand, bringing its joys, its disappointments, and its 
opportunities. Help us to say with the psalmist, “ This 
is the day the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be 
glad in it.” We have heard this morning thy command- 
ment, “Rejoice evermore.” The day may bring its tri- 
umphs or the day may bring its defeats, but give us the 
power to go through it with a singing heart and a smil- 
ing face. Amid all its tasks and burdens give us the 
joy of serving our fellow men and thee. May the spirit 
of prayer so fill our minds and govern our actions that 
every task shall be a sacrament and every deed a prayer. 

Give us thankful hearts, O God, for we know that 
this is thy will in Christ Jesus concerning us. May the 
Holy Spirit dwell in us richly, and may no waywardness 
of will or hardness of heart quench the Spirit or turn us 
from his guidance. May the God of peace sanctify our 
lives and preserve us blameless unto the coming of the 
King. We ask in Christ’s name. Amen. 

—F, Pau, McConkey, D.D. 


89 


Chursiay Morning, Gwelfth Week 


BY thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow 
after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meek- 
ness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, 
whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good 
profession before many witnesses. I give thee charge in the 
sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ 
Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confes- 
sion; that thou keep this commandment -without spot, unre- 
bukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: which 
in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Poten- 
tate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; who only hath 
immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach 
unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be 
honour and power everlasting. Amen. Tar Gerlere. 


O thou King of kings and Lord of lords, who rulest 
the affairs of men, by whose hand all living things were 
made and by whose blessings they are sustained and 
nourished, lead us this day in paths of righteousness 
for thy name’s sake. 

We give thee hearty thanks for thy blessings upon 
our lives, our homes, and our loved ones. Again would 
we commit them to thy tender care. Continue, O God, 
to supply all our needs through riches of grace in 
Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Help us this day, and all days, to turn our backs on 
evil desires and vain discussions and to press on to 
gain righteousness, piety, faith, love, steadfastness, and 
a patient, forbearing temper. May we have grace to 
persevere in the noblest of all contests, the good fight 
of the faith; to lay hold on eternal life; and to keep 
all that has been committed to us free from reproach 
and stain. 

Keep us, we pray thee, in the love and fear of God, 
in the fellowship of Christ, and in communion with all 
saints. And when the day is done may we be workmen 
unashamed because we have honestly endeavored to do 
justly, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our 
God. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. 


Amen. 
—B. A, Hopces, D.D. 


90 


Friday Morning, Twelfth Week 


EA, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall 

suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall 
wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But 
continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast 
been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 
and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, 
which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith 
which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration 
of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for cor- 
rection, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of 
God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good 
works. —II Tim, 3:12-17. 


Our heavenly Father, we give thee our loving thanks 
for thy care over us through the darkness of the night 
that is past. As we enter into the privileges and duties 
of a new day, we pray that as the light of the sun 

- makes plain the earthly path in, which we walk, so may 
the light of thy Word illumine the paths of the spiritual 
life of this family. We thank thee that it is a light not 
of earth but of heaven, that it is God-given and can 
never lead us astray. We thank thee for its place in this 
home, for its influence upon us all. “May we love thy 
Word more and more and exemplify it more and more 
in our daily living. Keep us all from harm and danger 
and sin this day. Guide us in places of peculiar temp- 
tation. Create within us a hatred of wrongdoing and a 
love of well-doing. Make us honest, pure in thought 
and action, and may the Lord Jesus be our Friend, 
Companion, and Saviour, this day and through all the 
days. For Jesus’ sake. Amen. 

—MaitLANp ALEXANDER, D.D. 


91 


Saturday Morning, Twelfth Week 


pu them in mind to be subject to principalities and 

powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good 
work, to speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, 
shewing all meekness unto all men.| For we ourselves also 
were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers 
lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and 
hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of 
God our Saviour toward man appeared. Not by works of 
righteousness, which we have done, but according to his 
mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and re- 
newing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly 
through Jesus Christ our Saviour ; that being justified by his 
grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of 
eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will 
that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in 
God might be careful to maintain out works. —Tirus 3:1-8a. 


We adore and worship thee, O Christ, whom pricks 
hath highly exalted and given a name which is above 
every name, “that at the name of Jesus every knee 
should bow” and every tongue confess the glory of 
God the Father. Grant that in thus bowing before thee 
we may learn how to give sincere and ready obedience 
to those whom thou hast appointed to rule over us in 
earthly things. 

Thou art ‘ “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and 
plenteous in mercy ”; so may we be toward our fellow 
men. Make us considerate of those who err and come 
short of doing thy will. May we live at peace with all 
men, and be kindly affectioned one toward the other. 

Make us responsive to every call for help, and al- 
ways ready to do good as we have opportunity. Bless 
us in all our relationships and enable us to seek and 
find rest in thee.. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. 


Amen. 
—Joun B, Lanp, D.D. 


Sunday Morning, Thirteenth Meek 


Hees the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper 
than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing 
asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, 
and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 
Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: 
but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with 
whom we have to do. Seeing then that we have a great high 
priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, 
let us hold fast our profession, For we have not an high 
priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our in- 
firmities ; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet 
without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne 
of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help 
in time of need. —Hep. 4 :12-16. 


Our heavenly Father, our souls are open before thee 
and we cannot escape from the piercing discoveries of 
thy Word. Help us, therefore, on this day and on all 
days to cherish good thoughts and noble purposes. May 
all the intents of our hearts be in conformity with thy 
love for us. 4 

We are glad that we cannot hide from thee because 
thou dost look upon us with compassion and hast pro- 
vided for our strength and comfort and reconciliation 
through thy Son, our Saviour, who was “ tempted like 
as we are, yet without sin.” Help us, O God, to walk 
humbly this day in thy holy and friendly companionship. 

Bless us as we worship with thy people at our 
Church and Sunday school this morning. We rejoice 
that we may come boldly to the throne of grace to find 
strength and inspiration in our time of need. 

Bless our great Presbyterian Church with all its out- 
reaching missionary, educational, and philanthropic en- 
terprises. Strengthen with thy grace and wisdom its 
declaration of the undying gospel through its conse- 
crated manhood and institutions, to the end that men 
may be saved and little children grow up in peace and 
Christian good will and character, Through Jesus 


Christ. Amen. 
| —Rev. R. J. McLanopress. 


93 


Monday Morning, Thirternth Week 


AN D what shall I more say? for the time would fail me 
to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of 
Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 
who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteous- 
ness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 
quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, 
out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, 
turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received 
their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not 
accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resur- 
rection: and others had trial of cruel mockings and scourg- 
ings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were 
stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain 
with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goat- 
skins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the 
world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in 
mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these 
all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not 
the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, 


that they without us should not be made perfect. 
—Hes, 11 :32-40. 


Our Father in heaven, we thank thee for the love 
that gives us courage and endurance in the ways of life. // 
May this day of fresh opportunity be filled with works 
that shall be well-pleasing unto thee. “Grant unto us the ° 
spirit of faith and hope and love whereby thy servants v 
in, every age have been able to do the, works of God. 
With diligence may we accomplish the tasks of this day, 
doing our work not as men pleasers but as unto thee. 
Above all, may the spirit of Christ possess us, who | 
came, “not to be ministered unto, but to minister.” ~ 
And with the joy of service rendered, of work well 
done, may we come to evening rest when we will lay us 
down in peace to sleep, knowing that thou, O Lord, 
alone makest us to dwell in safety. And all praise shall 
be thine, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

- —F, W. Hinirt, DD. 


~~ 


94 


Cursday Morning, Thirteenth Werk 


BEHOLD, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And 
the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue 
among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and set- 
teth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 
For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and 
of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of man- 
kind: but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, 
full of deadly poison. herewith bless we God, even the 
Father ; and therewith curse we men, which are made after 
the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth 
blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not 
so to be. —Jamers 3:5b-10. 


Almighty God, by whose spirit we are sustained each 
day, we beseech thee to grant us thy favor and to fill 
us with thy love. May our lives show forth thy good- 
ness in deeds of love and kindness. Teach us to know 
wisdom and truth. Let the words of our mouth and 
the meditation of our heart “be acceptable in thy 
sight.” Forgive us our sins and keep us from wrong- 
doing. Grant that thy providence may rule over us in 
all things. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

—Reyv. Ropert W. NEWMAN, 


95 


Weadurshay Morning, Thirteenth Week 


BLESSED be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus 

Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath be- 
gotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of 
Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, 
and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven 
for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith 
unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein 
ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye 
are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial 
of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that 
perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto 
praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 
whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see 
him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and 
full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the sal- 
vation of your souls. —I Prrer 1:3-9. 


Our Father, we awake this morning to rejoice afresh 
in thee and in the new day of hope that has dawned 
in our hearts through Jesus Christ, our Saviour. We 
thank thee for the inheritance of this life—for health 
and home and friends and useful work—and for the 
incorruptible inheritance reserved for us in heaven. 

Help us to live this day in company with the Master, 
with his courage, his tireless service for others, his 
trustful fellowship with thee. Give us a faith that will 
make us ready for every duty, equal to every trial, if 
trial lie before us, and able for every burden, should 
burden be laid upon us. May the day be without fret or 
fear for any of us. Keep sin out of our thoughts. 

Give the glory of thy presence to all men this day. 
Shed thy Spirit upon thy Church. Equip thy people for 
the holy service that thou hast intrusted to them, and 
remember in mercy our country. May all who are dear 
to us this day be also dear to thee. Be very close to 
those who suffer and sorrow, and keep us all in that 
perfect peace which thou hast promised to them that 
love thee. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

—Joun A, Marguts, D.D, 


96 


Chursday Morning, Thirternth Week 


HEREBY perceive we the love of God, because he laid 
down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our 
lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good, 
and seeth his brother have heed, and shutteth up his bowels 
of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in 
him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in 
tongue ; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that 
we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 
For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, 
and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us 
not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever 
we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his command- 
ments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 
And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the 
name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he 
gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his command- 
ments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know 
that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. 
—I Joun 3:16-24. 
God, our Father in heaven, these verses so simple 
and clear in statement are so difficult to practice in 
our everyday life. Help us this day to do better than 
we have done on any other day. Forgive our past fail- 
ures and trust us with more of thy grace, so that in 
the home, in the school, and in our contact with others 
everywhere this day we may come nearer being Chris- 
tian in what we do and in what we say to others and 
in what we think about others. Send us out into the 
day with cheerful courage, confident faith, and a spirit 
of consecration more like that of Jesus, our Lord and 
Saviour, in whose name we pray. Amen. 
—JoHN Wiis Barr, 


97 


Friday Morning, Thirteenth Week 


BU beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken 
before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; how 
that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, 
who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be 
they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. 
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy 
faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love 
of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto 
eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a differ- 
ence: and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire ; 
hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now unto him 
that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you 
faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 
to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, do- 
minion and power, both now and ever. Amen. —Junx 17-25. 


Thou who commandest the light to shine out of 
darkness, we are glad for the light that envelops our 
pathway and illumines our soul Rejoicing in thy sal- 
vation, we would share in the fellowship of thy suffer- 
ing for the wayward and impenitent. 

To such as persist in rejecting thy love and defying 
thy righteous law, do thou manifest thy mighty power, 
by making the wrath of man to praise thee, that the 
world may be saved from the ruin of sin. Others have 
not known the mercies that have crowned our lives, 
the godly ancestry, the Christian home, the righteous 
companions of youth, their lives being cast in hard 
places, bereft of the love which points the soul God- 
ward. Help us this day as we follow him “ who went 
about doing good” to show such compassion to these 
that they may learn the Way of life, so that we with- 
out them may not be made perfect, but that both may 
be found faultless in the morning of thy glory and 
of our eternal joy. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. 
Amen. 

—J. F, SHrpHerp, D.D. 


98 


Saturday Morning, Thirteenth Werk 
ey D he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as 
crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the 
Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of 
the river was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner 
of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves 
of the tree were for the healing of thé nations. And there 
shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the 
Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: and 
they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their fore- 
heads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no 
candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth 
them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. And he 
said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the 
Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto 
his servants the things which must shortly be done. Behold, 
I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the 
prophecy of this book. = Raveeeeley, 


O God, our Father, merciful as thou art mighty, we 
rejoice that thy hand has lifted the curtain and let us 
have a glimpse of the glory at the end of the road. It 
gives us strength for the steep places and courage for 
the darkness. Sometimes we seem to hear, faint and 
far away, the victory chorus they are singing over 
there, and our hearts take up the refrain. We thank 
thee most for the sake of our loved ones who have gone 
out with the dip of the muffled oar. 

But we are glad, our Father, that we need not wait 
for this blessedness until we reach the end of our 
journey. Even now we can walk by the river that 
flows from the throne of God. Here we may have heal- 
ing from the leaves of the tree of life. Already the 
light of the Day-Star has risen above the darkness, and 
the vision of thy face is never denied to the pure in 
heart. Help us, we pray thee, to keep the words of this 
Book that whether the coming of our Lord be near or 
long delayed we shall meet him with rejoicing. In his 


dear name we ask it. Amen. 
F —SAMUEL Garvin, D.D. 


99 


Prayers for Certain Occasions of Family Lite! 


AFTER THE BIRTH OF A CHILD 


O God, who art the Author and Preserver of life, we thank 
thee for thy good providence which watches over us, and espe- 
cially for thy mercy vouchsafed in the birth of this little child. 
We would receive him as a trust from thy hand, to be named 
with thy name and trained for thy service. We commend him 
to thy gracious fatherhood, beseeching thee to protect him from 
all harm, both of body and soul. Come down, O Holy Spirit, 
into this child’s heart; awaken him to life and love; replenish 
him with thy grace; keep him from the evil of the world, and 
guide his feet unto life eternal. For Christ’s sake. Amen. 


On THE Day oF A CHILD’s BAPTISM 


O God, who by thy Son hast established in thy Church the 
sacrament of baptism as a sign and seal of our engrafting into 
Christ, take this child, we beseech thee, into thy fatherly tuition, 
that he may abide in Christ for ever. Give us faith to hear thy 
covenant, in simple trust that thou wilt receive and keep the 
child whom we commit to thee; and give to those who make 
answer for him grace to fulfill the solemn vows they make in 
thy name. Let thy Holy Spirit come upon us, and sustain us 
with the breath of life; and thy hand guide us beside the still 
waters of thy peace. For his sake who is the good Shepherd of 
thy sheep, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 


On A BIRTHDAY 


O God, who art eternal and unchangeable, but who gavest thy 
Son to be born of woman and to number his sinless years, we 
thank thee for the days of the Son of Man, as over against them 
we measure our own. And we pray thee that on this day, and 
on every birthday celebrated in this household, the light of 
Christ may rise with healing in its wings; that it may lift from 
the heart the shadow of past sins; and may shine anew upon 
those paths which once were trodden by his blessed feet. Lord, 
give us grace to follow him. We ask it in his name, who hal- 
lowed by his presence our human festivals, who shared our 
human sorrows and infirmities, who bore our human sins in his 
own body on the tree, even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 


AT THE OPENING OF SCHOOL, 
O Lord, who art ever beside us, alike in our work and in our 


*From “A Book of Family Worship.” 
100 


Prayers for Certain Occasions of Family Lite 


play, grant that whatever our hands find to do, we may do it as 
unto thee. Bless this household as we come to the opening of 
the school year. Make us mindful of every opportunity, obe- 
dient to every duty, eager to learn, and ready to be trained for 
thy service. Implant in our hearts the fear of God, which is the 
beginning of wisdom, and fill them with love, apart from which 
all knowledge is vain. Help us to pure thoughts and unselfish 
conduct ; guide us in all our choices, whereby character is built, 
especially in choosing our friends; and make us to be a help to 
all our companions, that we and they may become good scholars 
in the school of Jesus Christ our Lord. In his name we ask it. 
Amen, 


On ENTERING A NEw Home 


O God, who setteth the solitary in families and givest habi- 
tations to those who else were homeless, we pray thee to meet 
us at the door of our new home. We enter its gates with praise, 
and here erect again the altar of our family worship. Receive, 
O God, anew the vows of our dedication of ourselves and all 
that we have, and consecrate this house by thine indwelling here 
that it may become a happy home and a temple of the Holy 
Spirit. Encircle our household with the love that has been ever 
of old and yet is ever new, and protect us by the might that is 
the same in all places of thy dominion. For Christ’s sake. 
Amen. : 


BEFoRE GOING To THE Lorp’s TABLE 


Wherewithal shall we come before thee, O God, or bow our- 
selves before thy presence? Thy sacrifices “are a broken spirit: 
a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” 
Thou preparest a table before us in the presence of our enemies. 
We “will go in the strength of the Lord God”; we “ will make 
mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.” We “ will 
take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.” 
We “will pay our vows unto the Lord, now in the presence of 
all thy people.” We will offer ourselves to thee as the sacrifice 
of thanksgiving; and to him who knocks we will open the door 
of our heart, that he may come in and feast with us and we with 
him, even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 


AFTER RECEIVING THE LorpD’s SUPPER 


Almighty and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee for 
thy rich mercy and invaluable goodness vouchsafed to us in this 


101 


Prayers for Certain Occasions of Hamily Lite 


sacred Communion, wherein we have assurance that we are very 
members of the mystical body of thy Son, and heirs through 
hope of thine everlasting Kingdom. And, as we have been made 
partakers of Christ, so enable us to hold fast that which we have 
received, that no man may take our crown. Help us, we beseech 
thee, to bear about with us continually the dying of the Lord 
Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our 
mortal body; and grant that we may remain alway in the holy 
fellowship of all faithful people. Through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 


Upon THE COMING OF ONE OF THE HOUSEHOLD INTO 
FuLL COMMUNION WITH THE CHURCH 


Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we give thee hearty 
thanks and praise that thou hast not withheld thy loving- 
kindness from this thy servant, but hast given him shelter 
within the covenant of thy peace, and makest him to sit down 
at thy table. We entreat thee of thy great mercy to perfect in 
him the good work thou hast begun; that he, being defended by 
thy fatherly hand, and strengthened with power through thy 
Spirit in the inward man, may be enabled to keep this covenant 
without spot, unrebukable, until the day of the appearing of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen. 


AFTER THE DEATH OF A CHILD 

O Father, who gave us this child to be our very own, and hast 
now called him into the secret of thy presence, we pray thee to 
give us grace to lay up the treasure of our love in heavenly 
places, and to lay our suffering hearts upon thine altar as the 
sacrifice of our thanksgiving that thou wilt keep forever that 
which thou hast called us to commit into thy trust. Through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 


AFTER THE DEATH oF A PARENT 

Heavenly Father, the Fountain of all pure love, in whose own 
name and likeness our earthly parents have stood as the heads 
of this family and the bulwark of this home, have mercy upon 
this stricken household. “Like as a father pitieth his chil- 
dren,’ and even “as one whom his mother comforteth,” so may 
it please thee to pity and to comfort us. Protect us by thine 
almighty power, and guide us by thy counsel. Strengthen us 
for the duties that have fallen to us, and accustom our feet to 
untried ways. Above all, we beseech thee for grace to keep our 


102 


Prayers for Certain Orrasions of Family Lite 


eyes uplifted unto the eternal hills, whence cometh our help and 
where they who served thee while on earth walk with thee in 
white garments which are washed “in the blood of the Lamb.” 
And as they followed Christ through the valley of this mortal 
life and are ascended now to thy right hand in glory, even so 
may we follow them in the darkness till the shadow shall lift and 
the morning dawn and they and we together shall be forever 
with the Lord. We ask it for Jesus’ sake. Amen. 


AFTER A DEATH IN THE FAMILY 

Almighty and most merciful God, the Consolation of the sor- 
rowful and the Support of the weary, who dost not willingly 
grieve or afflict the children of men, look down in tender love 
and pity, we beseech thee, upon thy bereaved servants, whose 
joy is turned into mourning; so that, while they mourn, they 
may not murmur or faint under thy rod, but, remembering all 
thy mercies, thy promises, and thy love in Christ, may resign 
themselves meekly into thy hands, to be taught and disciplined 
by thee. Convert them wholly to thyself, and fill their desolate 
hearts with thy love, that they may cleave more closely to thee, 
who bringest life out of death and who canst turn their grief 
into eternal joy. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 


In Tims oF Distress 


O God, most wise and loving and faithful Redeemer, thou 
hast permitted us to come into this present trial [here the 
affliction may be named or silently remembered] in order that 
we may learn obedience by the things that we suffer, and turn 
to thee, our Helper in the time of trouble. Grant, therefore, 
that there may be no bitterness in our sorrow, no despair in our 
submission, and no doubt of thee in our perplexity of heart. 
But do thou teach us to face our trial manfully, cause even the 
dark things of life to work together for our good, and bring us 
speedily out of our distress, that we may praise thee with a 
joyful heart. Through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. 


103 


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SSS SS SAAS SN Sc ssc ss ss 


Ssh 


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WI ccc ee aciectddidhadaiddadiddddiddddddiddddididdbddddddlddldidididdsdtddsdsliuhidddtstdddatsslbdsiladissddddddaldddddddssludslddddddddudisssdsbusdsdddddisidddddddddsldddaiiaididésslidabbldddsuubldbddassisuuadiciatduiiciiddidaiduidicaicaidididddidididdidddddddaddiine, 








ccc ccccccccdaccccccccccccceccecccccccccccccccaccccccecencnrncccccaccccz35£34svcqcz3ccrz3zj$yl]”$s”..8cwchcikrcqnnnnnccccckncidvcxckc5cc05r3acchcecccccaunncacacaauaauauaameaunauaasueauaua 





L1TOPRPLPLEBL LPL ID SLLIALIY LISLE PCLL PPD OLETD 


TL 


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SSS ttt 





8 


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Zz . 





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